Thread: Corona Virus

Originally Posted by 4bee

Learning to speak the country's language would deffo be a Plus & I thought that condition was introduced as part of the Migration Process some years ago.

I think that went out when the 'White Australia Policy' was discontinued.

Originally Posted by 4bee

Probably not that easy if one has been scared ****less all their lives but I take the point.


Learning to speak the country's language would deffo be a Plus & I thought that condition was introduced as part of the Migration Process some years ago.

Why bother coming here if they don't believe that they're improving their situation?

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Why bother coming here if they don't believe that they're improving their situation?

Off to the CA section, for you mate!

I'm not intending to be contentious or political Steve, but I don't buy the fear excuse. Coming to this country as a refugee or legitimate immigrant is not like getting a bus to town. They wouldn't be going to such lengths if they thought they were getting out of the fat, into the fire.

Originally Posted by Saitch

I think that went out when the 'White Australia Policy' was discontinued.

The Australian Migrant English Program [ AMEP] , since 1948 has helped nearly 2 million migrants find their feet in Australia. Much more than a language program, they had classes on the " Australian way of life". The problem today? Providers struggle to deliver the program at the cost the government expects. So providers have to ditch the more costly elements, such as activities that takes migrants directly into Australian life.

Many refugees come from cultures that have provided little or no schooling, even in their own language, or their education has been severely disrupted by war, other trauma or long stays in refugee camps. If Australia hadn't gleefully followed the USA into conflict after conflict, we may not have had the moral obligation to accept so many of these refugees.

Migrant education: Australia, we have an English problem (smh.com.au)

But wait, there's more.

Members of the government are surprised by the recent revelation that approximately 820,000 Australian adults from non English speaking back grounds do not have a competent grasp of English. It is reported that this compares with only 300,00 in 1981. What is surprising is that they are surprised. Surely they are aware that government policy is responsible for the significant decline in the quality of the key English language program targeting new arrivals.

The demise of English language programs for new arrivals to Australia (smh.com.au)

Originally Posted by V8Ian

I'm not intending to be contentious or political Steve, but I don't buy the fear excuse. Coming to this country as a refugee or legitimate immigrant is not like getting a bus to town. They wouldn't be going to such lengths if they thought they were getting out of the fat, into the fire.

With respect Ian, you have never been in their shoes. You just don't know what you are talking about.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Why bother coming here if they don't believe that they're improving their situation?

Ian, spend 3 years in a refugee camp, anything improves your situation.

And while we are at it, how about this.

Critical health information about COVID vaccines hasn't been updated for multicultural communities. The details on the Federal Health departments website, which is translated into dozens of different languages, is almost 2 months old.

Critical COVID vaccine information not updated for different languages (msn.com)