Why Aus Needs Refugees Text

WHY AUSTRALIA NEEDS REFUGEES?
Adapted from articles within the following websites.

http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/newaustralia/displaced-persons-assisted-
immigration/index.html
Why Australia needs refugees - the story on boat people? By Robin John Armidale Express Express
Wednesday, August 31, 2016.
We are often told stories about the 'boat people' or refugees. These stories get
repeated with some to little foundation of truth. I often catch myself asking if the
story is true?
Fortunately, many people are questioning the claims and treatment of boat
people. People have every right to escape their countries and ask for asylum,
with or without identity documents. Most are genuinely fleeing persecution and
so are found to be refugees. Refugees would much prefer to safely stay in their
own countries where their family and friends are located, where they may have
thriving businesses, good homes and share the same language. So when they
leave, they are fleeing horrendous conditions, persecution and possible death.
What would make you flee your home and country?
Australia has been settling refugees for at least 175 years. The first group of
refugees were the Lutherans who settled in South Australia from 1839 to escape
restrictions on their right to worship within the state of Prussia. During the 19th
Century, Hungarians, Italians, and Poles left their home countries due to religious
or political persecution. ‘New Australians’ continued to settle in Australia, but
they had to meet the restrictions imposed by the White Australia Policy of 1901.
Between 1933 and 1939 more than 7,000 Jews fled Nazi Germany to Australia.
After World War II Europe was in Chaos. Refugees began streaming out of
Eastern Europe to places like Australia to get away from the oppression in their
homelands. Between 1946 and 1965 two million migrants came to Australia.
One of the biggest projects that Australia was undertaking was the Snowy
Mountains Scheme. Australia needed unskilled labour to work in the mountains,
so they recruited displaced persons from the refugee hostels. The snowy
mountains scheme is one of the greatest engineering feats of its time.
When the fall of Saigon in April 1975 occurred, refugees fled Vietnam by boat to
seek asylum.
As a result of their determination to survive, some refugees have assisted in

shaping Australia. Les Murray a famous sports journalists and soccer
broadcaster has played a major role in soccer’s growing popularity. The family
immigrated to Australia in 1957 under the Hungarian Refugee Assisted Scheme.
Frank Lowy was born in Czechoslovakia and was forced to live in a ghetto in
Hungary during World War II for being a Jew. In escaping to Israel, he was
captured by the British and sent to a detention camp in Cyprus. In 1952 he was
able to join his family who had fled to Australia. Along with another refugee, he
developed the shopping empire of Westfields. Dr. Karl, the TV scientist, and
commentator is from Poland and arrived on humanitarian grounds after the war.
Anh Do fled Vietnam with his family in 1980 from Vietnam. You see him on TV as
a comedian but he also has done cooking shows and in 2017 won the People’s
choice award with his portrait of Jack Charles in the Archibald Art Competition.
His brother is a well-known TV producer. One of the more recent refugees come
from Iraq. Dr. Munjed Al Muderis fled Iraq in 1999 as a junior surgeon and today
is one of the world's leading pioneer in Osseointegration surgery. He is
committed to helping all people. He came to Australia by boat and spent time in
Curtin Detention Centre in the Kimberley, Western Australia.
The list of the contributions that refugees have made to shape Australia is long
and significant. Australia does become their home.
COMPREHENSION - Why Australia needs Refugees?
1. Why do people flee their countries?

2. What are some of the contributions that refugees have
made to Australia?
3. What was the earliest record of refugees entering
Australia and why?
4. Could Australian Convicts be considered refugees?
5. What restrictions were imposed on refugees who came
to Australia in the early 1900’s.
6. What would force you to leave your home, country and
work?
7. Interview a person who has made Australia home. What questions would
you ask? Use your prepared questions to interview the person. You may
wish to add further questions during the interview. Think of a way of
presenting your interview.

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WHY AUSTRALIA NEEDS REFUGEES?

Adapted from articles within the following websites.

As a result of their determination to survive, some refugees have assisted in

COMPREHENSION - Why Australia needs Refugees?

1. Why do people flee their countries?

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