I'll admit that if I was still in the UK I probably wouldn't give this more than a transient thought....but now living in a country where I have a visa.....and which on the face of it can be cancelled without real justification......

Does it concern anyone else?

The impression I get is that the Australian Government dont mess about with these people who threaten their country like the british governement !!

The immigration secretary who made the decision to revoke dr hanif's visa said he did so with his hands tied as he was and still is unable disclose the full details of the enquiry yet due to privacy reason's?

I dont think the Australian goverment are that draconian that they would remove somebody for no good reason (hopefully!)

darren

Good on the goverment for standing by their decision to cancel the visa I have been informed he is going to work for the NHS

the Australian put it well in their editorial

not sure we can afford to lose too many doctors



and, to the original question......yes, it should concern anyone with a visa

Whilst I remain unconvinced either way on the issue at this time, just a couple of points to take into consideration...

Dr Haneef was not deported his visa was cancelled and he left the country voluntarily after his innocence was established. http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/30/stories/2007073059691400.htm

The reason behind his visa being cancelled was based on his failure of the character test, that extends to family and social connections to which all migrants must comply with. No matter how innocent an individual may seem if they have an association with someone who has been found to be of dubious character they risk being placed in a similiar position.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/16/1979611.htm

hmmm....so a second cousin, back in the uk, could get done for murder or robbery............ and your visa could be cancelled.......... seems a little unfair.

As I said....cause for some concern

...but you hopefully would not be providing a second cousin with an instrument to commit the crime, or any other reason for the Minister to revoke a visa.

New terrorism laws in Australia are very strict and I don't believe that robbery and even murder by a distant relative would draw the same conclusions as that for terrorist association.

Like I said I still remian unconvinced either way but certainly understand the cause for concern.

Like Jet, I am unconvinced either way.....but I always say there is no smoke without fire.
sarah

Children overboard anyone?

what are you getting at andy?? :blink:

stevo.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/How...rom=moreStories

That the government is not beyond bending the truth.........

also, here's a very interesting.....somewhat prophetic....thread from the yahoo news forums.....check the date

http://au.messages.yahoo.com/news/top-stories/547457/

:)

I can't say that it really concerns me, as I am not the easily concerned type, but it is certainly a shame that politics has to be so universally corrupt (ing) and facts manipulated to suit the purpose of whomever needs to use them for their own gain. Don't forget that it's election year, as well as the whole terrorism bandwagon that political leaders seem to enjoy jumping on these days. I have yet to come across a government which does not bend the truth, hide the facts, and use whatever they have at their disposal as propaganda at every opportunity. It's disappointing to see that the Aussies who are admired and respected the world over for their honesty and down-to-earthness are just as bad as anywhere else... in this case of course it will come back to bite them badly come election time IMHO...

I particularly liked the following quote, nicked from the abovementioned Yahoo news forums (who nicked it from old JC himself of course):

"Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citezenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind. And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate a the mind has closed, the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citezenry. Rather, the citezenry, infused with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader and gladly so. How do I know? For this is what I have done. And I am Ceasar" - Julius Ceasar

Its not unknown either for individuals to use the media, bend the truth, etc to manipulate public pressure against Govts. Its just the way things are - especially in this age of 24 hour media exposure.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/31/1993348.htm

MMMMMMMMMM interesting too.

Stevo.

PS How many boats have arrived since??

Ahhh, since then, they devised the enormously popular "Pacific solution" (to save us all from the scary boat people). So most boats are intercepted and the occupants detained offshore....at no small cost.
Most were found to be legitimate asylum seekers and now live in Australia.

It's not news (or politically popular) anymore so we hear less about it, particularly as this is an election year, and the "Pacific solution mk II" was soundly rebuffed last year



however.....to keep the xenophobes happy......

http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Boat-p...2338874813.html

:)

Very true.

Back on topic - if you've all been watching the news tonight, you will now also know that the government is monitoring chat room conversations as well.. :ph43r: :lol:

Worried now? ;)

On balance i think the majority of people support the goverment given the difficult circumstances regarding the case against dr haneef

thankfully the australian goverment seem to have a more robust policy against potential terrorists etc. unlike the british goverment who would have been unable to make a tough call in similar circumstances.

Yes it's election year and politicians are guilty of hyperbole (nearly as much as some people on this site) but you get the feeling they have a sound policy on such issues.

call people xenophobes, racists, narrow minded, whatever, but if such tough decisions prevent one incident then it's worth it.

ming the merciless ya bassa.

time will tell I guess

I'm not convinced that's true....they seem to be making it up as they go along.....

I suspect the pollies quite like the xenophobe thing, as it means they can trot out all kinds of policy in the guise of "protecting" us from the bogeymen.....and we think it's great

:)

I'll tell you what............wikipedia is bloody quick..............accurate?....who knows............. but quick

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Haneef

interesting article (and following discussion) on Haneef and the migration act

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/31/1992436.htm

At the end of the day, ofcourse they can take your visa, for whatever reason they like! There was a case not so long ago of a man being deported to a country he hadn't been to since he was 3? Can't remember why..... think he committed a drug offence

Ofcourse we will never know the full truth, but rest assured charges wouldn't have been dropped if they had anything concrete...

Hmmm - I'd have probably left the country voluntarily too. :o

I still remain unconvinced - but thanks for all the interesting articles and views.

Governments have always monitored communications, email, SMS, phone, chat room etc. It's called ECHELON. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECHELON

indeed, and newspapers monitor forums like this too












allegedly :ph43r:

http://optuszoo.news.ninemsn.com.au/articl...083&_cobr=optus

ONE LESS.

Stevo

Well....thats generally the thing with suicide bombers...even rubbish ones.....

Does he still get the 12 virgins then, even though he didn't take out any infidels? It'd be a bit of a sickener for him if he's missed out :ph43r:

Kamikaze Pilots Reunion Draws Poor Turnout

and

Kamikaze Reunion May End The Myth

fascinating article.... :)