Editorial: Nauru has served a vital purpose in discouraging people smugglers

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has a reputation as a hard-nosed politician. His satisfaction in seeing the last child leave Nauru is matched by his pride in never having sent one there, writes THE EDITOR

Children on the Indonesian island of Pantar, where a teenager was charged with people smuggling in 2011. Picture: Supplied

THE JOY at news that the last refugee children held in detention on Nauru are about to leave will be shared by all Australians.

Offshore detention of asylum-seekers has been one of the most vexed and divisive issues in this country’s modern history.

Men prepare for the day on Nauru in 2001. It is the only home some children have known. Picture: AP

But the policy – underpinned by the Coalition Government’s tough Operation Sovereign Borders enforcement program – is both necessary and resoundingly successful.

The thought of children being locked up does not sit comfortably with any Australian and that is why the Government has worked towards ending that situation.

But in focusing on the plight of those in offshore processing, it is too easy to overlook the fact that it has prevented an even greater suffering – the death of innocent youngsters and their families – by discouraging people from trying to cross the ocean to enter Australia unlawfully.

It is forgotten that the Labor government was forced to re-open offshore detention centres.

In an era studded with stunning policy incompetence, including the deadly roof insulation batts fiasco, the mismanagement of asylum-seekers remains totemic of the Rudd government’s failures.

Having dismantled the border protection policies of the Howard government, including offshore processing and turning back boats, Labor faced a flood of 50,000 would-be immigrants arriving by boat over six years.

Tragically, 1200 lost their lives at sea in the attempt.

Since Operation Sovereign Borders was introduced in 2013, the evil, opportunistic people-smugglers who prey on the hopes and fears of the desperate, have been put out of business.

Our borders have been made safer in a time of increased global security uncertainty.

And most importantly, lives have been saved. The program has been a humanitarian success.

While it has undoubtedly created harsh conditions, both sides of politics now fully recognise the importance of offshore processing measures as a deterrent.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has a reputation as a hard-nosed politician and his detractors revel in portraying him, inaccurately and unfairly, as cruel.

He has a tough, but necessary role.

But his genuine satisfaction in seeing the last child leave Nauru is matched by his pride in never having sent one there. He hasn’t had to oversee an operation to recover their bodies from the ocean either.

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NRL MUST WALK ITS TALK AND BAN BARBA FOR LIFE

ANOTHER week, another rugby league scandal.

It’s a depressingly familiar pattern as a grassroots sport loved by so many continues to be rocked by the appalling behaviour of some of those who sit at its pinnacle.

Ben Barba has had his contract with the North Queensland Cowboys torn up. In the interests of the game, the NRL must stand by its warning and ban him for life. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The NRL has a problem and the game’s hierarchy is getting the message, as evidenced by chief executive Todd Greenberg’s clear pre-season warning that miscreants will face the full force of disciplinary measures, including bans for life.

It was a message that could have been framed with Ben Barba in mind.

A former Dally M medal winner, any sporting glory he has achieved has been eclipsed by the disgrace this serial troublemaker has heaped on the game.

Barba’s latest effort was an alleged attack on his wife at a Townsville casino which prompted Cowboys officials to tear up his contract.

League officials should make an example of Barba with a life ban, setting a much-needed milestone in their mission to clean up the game’s reputation.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Kelvin Healey, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details are available at couriermail.com.au