1351 02 comment V8

www.bsl.org.auBrotherhoodCommentISSN 1320 8632December 2001A regular update from Social Action and ResearchThe real challenge begins nownational political level wouldThe re-elected Howard government faces the need for well-paid, secure, full-timeencourage people in other spheresa number of key policy challenges in its next positions. It should be integrated withof activity to find common groundterm. Some of these received attention during additional spending on health, educationand work together for a fairerthe campaign, but others were and social services physical infrastructure,Australia.unfortunately absent. and investment to repair the environment.The election campaign was notable for its Another two issues did not receive any mediaStephen Giannifocus on the issue of asylum seekers. The attention at all, but remain of great concern.(03) 9483 1372present policy of sending recent arrivals to Breaching—penalising of unemployed peoplesgianni@bsl.org.aucamps in South Pacific island nations is receiving social security payments for failingneither logistically sustainable nor financially to meet certain requirements—is sadly outprudent. It is not morally defensible, and is of control. Both the incidence of breachingstill subject to legal challenge. It will not and the level of financial penalty requirechange the reasons the refugees are fleeing serious reform. The independent review ofContentstheir homelands. We need to respond in a the breaching system ...