Fair Sharing
Thursday, August 30, 2001
When one or two people want to share something I have, I might be willing. But if I see many converging on me, I put away what I have and keep it to myself.
Perhaps this is what is happening with our refugee situation today. We Australians have welcomed millions of newcomers over the years — especially when we have invited them. But when faced with a queue swelling out of control, we naturally feel inclined to slam the doors.
The obvious answer lies in a fair setting of limits. There is as yet no global umpire for migration. But social geographers could draw up a list of how many each country would humanely take on the basis of resources and needs.
This would not be a law but it would give us a guideline as to how many we should admit — and at the same time reassure us that we are not being exploited.
Philip O'Carroll