Australia has turned its back on the White Australia policy. We now have a ministry of ethnic affairs.
Every government information leaflet is now translated into dozens of languages. Ethnic communities are represented on virtually every government body. People from “”non-English-speaking backgrounds” are now given a special place.
Every move government makes is made with half an eye on the ethnic lobby. Fine. People born overseas are a large portion of the population and like everyone else have a right to make representations to get more favourable treatment.
Governments have responded, especially Labor Governments. Labor has successfully wooed the ethnic vote. It has meant improved treatment for those in all stages of immigration: those applying; those arriving; and those here.
People arriving as hopeful refugees (even if they are well outside the usual criteria for refugee status) are also given the attention of government _ access to the courts, legal aid and other services.
All laudable stuff. Perhaps done because it is the right thing to do, but more likely because of the electoral consequences of not doing it.
In short, there has been a significant repair job since the end of the White Australia _ with one exception. In Australia today there are about 10,000 white, English-speaking victims of the White Australia policy. And they are not getting much government help. These are the child migrants bought out to Australia after World War II.
Many were told they were orphans. Their parents, usually single mothers, were told they had been adopted. In fact, they were taken to institutions run by major charities. Many were used as labourers _ building the institutions’ new buildings or in domestic help. Many were physically and sexually abused.
These 10,000, mostly now in their 50s, are being helped by the Child Migrant Trust. The Australian Government contributes the wage of one social worker. The British Government gives no permanent funding.
Many have overcome their upbringing, but many need help to get birth certificates and find relatives, to overcome the fall-out of institutional life and abuse and to find out who they are.
Why is it a government task? Because in 1938 the Australian Government actively sought child migrants and offered to help pay for their passage and upkeep. In January 1945 child migration was on the agenda of what is now the Council of Australian Governments, then the Premiers’ Conference. The briefing paper said the war had caused many orphans and stray children (read _ children of single mothers). “”This makes the present a time of unparalleled opportunity for Australia to build up her population with child migrants who on account of their easier assimilation, adaptability, long working life ahead and easier housing, constitute particularly attractive category of migrant.”
The states agreed to a plan to bring in more children. The flaw, however, was guaranteeing payment to the charities who then had no incentive to get adoptive homes.
Later governments have a responsibility to help pickup the pieces of failed social engineering of earlier governments.
These victims are having a difficult time getting that help. Governments do not like admitting error, however long ago. These victims are white and English-speaking _ they are not very politically correct victims. Their case rests on acknowledgment that well-known charities have done harm. Their case undermines an Australian myth: anyone who comes to sunny Australia and works hard will do better than if they stayed in cold, wet England. They often do not have birth certificates, let alone the vote. And there is an easy bureaucratic solution: do nothing and the problem will die out.
They have tried conscience and publicity, such as the screening of “”The Leaving of Liverpool”. The tragedy is they may as a last resort sue the two Governments. But law suits are an expensive distraction to finding relatives and searching for identity.
Last week saw the publication of Margaret Humphreys “”Empty Cradles” an account of how she uncovered this shameful episode. I hope it will prick governmental consciences.