Terrorism in Australia

(15.03.04)

It is a terribly sad time for the people of Spain and watching the scenes on television it is difficult to believe that they are real and not a bad dream.

We in Australia believe that we have a safe life, and so we have. Our country is still the lucky country.   Our forefathers and their sacrifices hard won the safety of our country, a safety that we now take for granted.

It may be another day in the school of Parliament and our politicians argue about whether we in Australia are in a greater danger from terrorism since we became part of the coalition that went to Iraq to fight "Terrorism".

Whilst the Prime Minister wants to refute that we are at a greater danger others are not so sure.

One does not have to be an "expert" to realise that world order changed when terrorism struck at the heart of the United States with crippling effect on the people of New York. One of the changes of our world is that we are all at a more perilous situation at the hands of terrorism.

If it wasn't so serious the attitude of politicians would be so silly.

Whilst I am not advocating that we should not have gone to Iraq I do believe that our politicians are playing silly games, thinking about their own political futures and not thinking seriously about the future of our country.   Australians enjoy freedoms that people of many other countries do not enjoy and it is imperative that we do everything at out disposal to ensure that those freedoms are retained.    If that means that we oppose terrorism then we should not pussy foot around the problem.

Whether Australia went to Iraq or not, it is obvious that terrorism would always be a threat to its future.   People of Australia should not panic about what is in front but should be more aware of things around them.

Being an island does assist Australia in keeping terrorists at bay but we do need to consider our future options with border protection and immigration policies.   Migrants from many countries have made Australia what it is and we should not lock Australia's doors to those from other countries, including from those who follow the Moslem faith. We do need however to ensure that people who come to Australia are who they say they are and their intentions for their future fit in with the Australian way of life, a need to live in peace and prosperity and enjoy the benefits of being Australian.

Unfortunately, some of the freedoms and civil liberties that we enjoy and take for granted have to be examined to see if it is necessary to modify them to ensure a continuing freedom for all.

In our consideration of going to war in Iraq we continually question whether there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.   Whilst I have my own opinions about the answer to that question isn't the more important question about the lives of the people of Iraq and their right to a free life.

Parliamentarians treat the people of Australia as bunnies and did not tell the whole truth about the situation.   Should they have done that from the very start I believe that the division in our community about whether we should or should not have gone to war would be far less destructive. 

Irrespective of ones opinion do not be fooled.   Australia is at a greater risk of terrorism today than was the case in years past.  The safety of Australians, of all cultures is more important than politics.

We must consider the sad situation in Spain and sympathise with the Spanish people but Spain having a change of heart and withdrawing its troops does not help Spain or anybody else.   If they go ahead with their plan to withdraw then Terrorists have won and we all lose.

We should all pray that our troops are home safely soon but only when the job is done.

For the sake of our kids and grand kids we should all consider our future carefully, especially as this is an election year.

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