Interrogation of Refugees.

The TV studio is populated by two beautiful news presenters. There is Rick, a tall dark haired heart throb with a deep voice. Siting next to him is a blond short haired immaculately dressed co presenter, Sandy.  She has a bit of a square face and prominent mouth. While not an absolutely god smacking beauty her hair certainly sets off a style of dress that drips.

SANDY: Refugees coming to this country pose a threat to our way of life but a new program promises to vet out the trouble makers from the rest. The holding facility at Woomera is now being used to interrogate unwelcomed arrivals. It is hoped that a message will be sent to other would be arrivals that there is a queue and queue jumping will not in any way be tolerated. We cross to Tony.

TONY: Yes Sandy it is hoped that this new program set in place will separate genuine asylum seekers from the free loaders and reduce the number of boat arrivals. The new facility was only made possible by changes in the law to exclude normal legal avenues to the courts. Critics have said this denies asylum seekers their human rights but the government maintains that this recognises the responsibility of asylum seekers not to weigh down the legal avenues which after all are for the benefit of real Australians.

SANDY: So Tony what does this entail for the asylum seekers and for those responsible for implementing this program? (Behind Tony are students holding signs saying “Hello Mum.”)

TONY: Being trialed by the department are a number of soft interrogation techniques perfected at the famous Guantanamo Bay terrorist holding facility. It’s well known that many asylum seekers will lie in order to jump the queue but to date the government has found it difficult to obtain reliable information from arrivals because of legal limitations which have severely restricted interrogation options by the department. In a rare display of bipartition unity between the government and opposition these have now been removed. By coincidence some year 12 students on work experience from several schools across Australia have been stationed at Woomera and they have been observing the initial stages of this new program.

SANDY: And?

TONY: Many of the students have said they are proud to be at the front line defending their country. They liken it to the Anzacs at Gallipoli. They are proud to be following in the footsteps of their grandfathers and great grandfathers. A few of the refugees are already been softened up and this has given some of. the students present great satisfaction. One student said that this trip should be compulsory for all students in year 12 no matter what career they intend following to give all students a feeling of what it means to be Australian. They all concur that this is a real privilege.

SANDY: Tony what are the initial results of this trial.

TONY: One afghan was worked on today. A very difficult case in fact. An older gentleman; in fact in his 70s, but officers warn against allowing age to lend any sympathy to the case given the nature of the sort of people we are dealing with. After denying all ill intent he did come around late in the afternoon but the interrogators felt he was still with holding back useful information. He finally expired near the end of the interrogation session. One of the students observing the process said that there’s one refo we won’t have to worry about anymore. That quip raised a light laughter of agreement among some of those present.

SANDY: So what will happen to the body of this asylum seeker now?

TONY: Well I guess the carcass will be thrown over the fence for the crows to pick over.

SANDY: How have the students reacted to this work? One night imagine this sort of work at close range can be confronting to the senses.

TONY: Yes Sandy it can be but these year 12 students are of sterner stuff. They have been very enthusiastic about this work. They are very committed with strength of character. They are not the type to be paralysed by false compassion and crocodile pleads of suffering. They have real moral fibre and resolve. The students  wear their school uniforms with pride. This morning one student was barking abuse at another from his school to straighten his tie. Such is the pride in themselves and their schools. They wrap themselves in the Australian Flag. There is drive and a real passionate competitive spirit between the students of the different schools they represented. In fact there was one exchange of rivalries between students of 2 different schools that got a little out of hand. Out of that mêlée one student was sent to hospital last night but he’s expected to be on his feet in a week or so.

SANDY: Wow! Such a change from the students of yesteryear. So different from the generation who did not have the moral fibre and patriotic resolve to support our Vietnam heroes and who would routinely spit on the flag; the type we are so ashamed of today.

TONY: Yes Sandy. If you don’t have pride in yourself or your school how can you take pride in your country? How can anyone have the strength to do what is necessary? But we can take pride in today’s generation. We know we can depend on this up and coming generation should they be called to take up arms in the shadow of the Anzacs against those who would do us harm.

SANDY: It just makes you feel great to be living in this great country. I take my hat off to these students. It’s really what this country is all about.

SANDY: Thank you Tony. It certainly must be quiet a special trip for those students. It’s a wonderful country isn’t it?

TONY: Indeed it is. But let us spare a thought for the officers working here full time. These people are heroes. They have been subject to unfair criticism by refugee advocates. These men and women feel as though they have been spat on by other Australians taken in by fabricated hard luck stories by these queue jumpers. What about having some sympathy for you fellow Australians who are doing such a difficult job so far from their families.

SANDY: Indeed. To criticise our refugee detention policy is really to show disrespect for the brave men and women working away from home and loved ones. Well thank you for your report Tony.

TONY: Thank you Sandy. I’ll see you latter.

SANDY: That was Tony Wellman from Woomera. There are sure to be some ravenous ravens enjoying left overs in Woomera. (There is some light chuckle from Sandy and Rick.)

RICK: Yes indeed. Coming up after the break will be all the sports, finance news and the weather.

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