Peter Adamis 24 June 2014.
Revoking citizenship. While every Australian government on both sides of the political fence is bond and tasked with the responsibility of the security and well being of its citizens, revoking and/or cancelling an Australian citizens passport is not the way to go. A copy of the complete article may be downloaded by clicking on: REVOKING AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP AS A DETERRENT IS NOT THE WAY TO GO
Therefore, I do hope that the Australian Government considers carefully its policy of revoking Australian citizenship in the wake of recent revelations regarding Australians found to be fighting in the Middle East. Cancelling an Australians passport and/or citizenship based on an individual’s misadventure is un-Australian and not the way to go in deterring Australians from taking undertaking risky misadventures for whatever reason.
I do not believe that for one moment that Australians are foolish enough to believe that this has not occurred in the past. That Australians have no left the safety of our shores to fight in a foreign country for whatever cause that may be. It would be equally foolish to believe that any law or legislation implemented will deter or stop any Australian citizen from embarking on misadventures to support an unjust war or cause.
While our own Australian “Hicks” is one example, I am sure there are many others who seek employment under the guise of an organisation purporting to be a legal entity in defence of a nation that ‘just happens’ to be embroiled in an domestic quarrel with its own people. It’s happened many times in the past and I am of the belief that it will occurs time and time again.
I always say, once an Australian, always an Australian no matter what. Having said all of the above, I would expect the Australian government to seek out and support me should the need arise and not leave me in the clutches of a foreign country that has decided unfairly against me. I prefer the confines of an Australian jail than rot in a foreign one. I am referring to the David Hicks incident , Robert William Langdon who is currently languishing in an Afghan jail and the recent Peter Geste in an Egyptian Jail and God knows how many others are in foreign jails.
Power to agencies. My solution to this ever occurring scenario is to empower our law enforcement agencies and departments that are responsible for matters of security to investigate, detain and press charges against any individual that has been found to be involved in such nefarious and recalcitrant misadventures. ASIO, ASIS and DSD are best placed to monitor such matters and to prepare the foundations and evidence for any potential citizen who decides to leave our shores to fight battle that may not be in the interests of this country.
What if? Having said this, I pose a potential and hopefully unlikely scenario that may and/or may not occur at some distant future. What if the USA, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, South Africa, Israel, India, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Austria, Norway, Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey, Switzerland, Belgium, Poland, Ukraine, and other Baltic nations find themselves in a war not of their own choosing and call our for volunteers to fight an unjust war that is threatening the very foundations of democracy and the world as we see it now.
What would the average Australian citizen do. NOTHING or would they decide to travel and go in support of a country struggling to survive. If the USA and/or the UK, Canada, New Zealand and other like minded countries which are the repositories of our democratic rights and maintain the institutions of freedom that we cherish this day are threatened with extinction, I would be the first to volunteer, come hell or high water. I can guarantee readers that no legislation will stop me from going in support of those countries.
Alternatively if we as citizens decide to live I another art of the world for whatever reasons they may be and that I retain my Australian citizenship, would I not return back to my home (Australia) to defend it against any aggressor that is threatening its very existence. Of course I would, it’s only natural that I do so, knowing that I once I return back to that adopted country I could face charges according to their laws. I guess the reasons for writing this article is to highlight the issues facing Australians who have left or are considering leaving our shores willingly in search of misadventure or to support one side or another according to their beliefs and or mindset and not because of any social media seduction or foreign recruiting elements.
Therefore in closing, I believe that our agencies as previously mentioned above are adequately equipped and trained to handle such matters. Those same security agencies should be provided and/or allocated appropriate resources to monitor, investigate and prepare suitable charges if any to address such matters even if they are to seek special dispensation to monitor Australians citizens or diverse communities within the Australian sector. Such diverse communities does not exclude Anglo/Saxon communities but are all inclusive no matter what their origins may be.
Mind you, terror, seductive recruitment, passions, religious and political belief are a deadly cocktail especially amongst the youth of today in any country that hold strong beliefs in one form or another. Education, media exposure, community influence, positive peer group pressure and online social media are other forms of deterring the young and misguided adventurers from embarking on a journey of no return. In view of this dilemma I would prefer the safety of Australian laws knowing that Australia would judge me fairly based on my actions and reasons for becoming involved in misadventures rather than lose my citizenship and cancellation of my passport.
Empower our security agencies with the legislation and resources to do what their designed to do, safe guard the interests o Australia and its citizens and ensure that they are accountable to the Government at the time. Let us not be afraid to draw attention to this dilemma we are faced with and not rely on social media to provide and/or lead us astray with the passions that are normally invoked by such matters. we as Australian citizens must use our democratic rights and freedoms to influence governments that sometimes their policies and legislation may require tweaking, and/or reviewing to get it right.
The Voice from the Pavement – Peter Adamis is a Journalist/Commentator and writer. He is a retired Australian military serviceman and an Industry organisational & Occupational (OHS) & Training Consultant whose interests are within the parameters of domestic and international political spectrum. He is an avid blogger and contributes to domestic and international community news media outlets as well as to local and Ethnic News. He holds a Bachelor of Adult Learning & Development (Monash), Grad Dip Occupational Health & Safety, (Monash), Dip. Training & Assessment, Dip Public Administration, and Dip Frontline Management. Contact via Email: [email protected] or via Mobile: 0409965538