BY JANINE CURLL
SYDNEY — On October 16, Sutherland Entertainment Centre echoed to the chants of "Refugees yes! Racism no! Philip Ruddock has got to go".
Fifteen activists from the Refugee Action Collective (RAC) confronted the federal immigration minister at a "public consultation", receiving a warm response from attendees but attracting dozens of police.
The meeting had been announced just three days before, to hamper organised protest against the federal government's inhumane refugee policies. Only those who had pre-registered were admitted.
Officials initially allowed people to register at the venue, but when RAC activists attempted to register they were prevented. Two men dressed in traditional Middle Eastern clothing were not only denied entry, but followed by Federal Police and searched when they left.
In the auditorium, Ruddock reduced refugees and immigrants to coloured bars and graphs. During discussion, Paul Benedek, a member of the RAC and the Democratic Socialist Party, criticised the mandatory detention of undocumented refugees and accused Ruddock's government of implementing Pauline Hanson's racist policies. When Benedek asked Ruddock whether or not, if his family were facing terror and possible death in Iraq, he would consider it a crime to flee in whatever way they could, the 200-strong crowd cheered.
Ruddock responded that opposition to racism was simply "political correctness" and tried to make out that being a refugee in Australia was a privilege.
After the meeting, many people approached the protesters to thank them.
For more information about the RAC, email <RAC_NSW@egroups.com> or <sydwest@dsp.org.au>, or phone Paul Benedek at 9687 5134.