From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 7 August

Discrimination in any of its hateful embodiments is unacceptable, and should be denounced, unequivocally.

HOWEVER, we should not be without tolerance for the seven NRL Manly Sea Eagles who have declared their lack of willing to play a match wearing a jumper designed in support of the LGBTIQ+ community. Their decision does not constitute bigotry, discrimination, homophobia, or any other lack of gender recognition.

Their decision should be seen for what it is: a lack of willing to nail their colours to the mast – nothing more, nor less. In some circumstances, the philosophy may run contrary to what they hold to be an inviolable, personal tenet. While it is not a crime, it is hoped the decision is for the right reasons. Equally, for others to look for dark shadows where none fall, is too simplistic, and highly problematic.

In the same way many are reluctant to reveal their political bias, it is not obligatory to publicly declare one’s personal view on every societal issue, or to be seen to be lending support.

It is a nonsense to argue these young men are role models to anyone struggling with their sexuality. That is a role and responsibility which belongs to parents and family, and even the LGBTIQ+ community. It is not, by osmosis, or celebrity, the role of an élite athlete.

While outcomes might sometimes be disappointing, even unpalatable, we have to accept, in reasoned debate, the ‘yes’ from one party does not carry more weight than the ‘no’ from the other.

To what did we apportion blame for our incompetence before COVID, with its various and challenging manifestations, entered our lives?

The new Federal Labor Minister for Home Affairs, Clare O’Neill, has inherited a backlog of almost one million immigrant visas applications – an incomprehensive irregularity with devastating ramifications.

New government figures have revealed the current visa backlog is 961,016 across all categories; 560,187 have been lodged by people outside of Australia.

One could – and not without cause – be forgiven for questioning the competence of the department under the previous Morrison Liberal Coalition.

COVID has been with us since January 2020. The first major lockdown occurred in March. During the period of 2020-22, the now-Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, succeeded by Karen Andrews, was the Minister for Home Affairs.

With the advent of COVID, it must have been apparent to departmental management, and in a most obvious way, that work procedures needed to be altered, drastically, and implemented, immediately. The appalling lack of departmental response to the international health crisis has left thousands of aspiring new-Australians in endless limbo, many of them languishing in unimaginable emotional torment, daily fearing their deportation. It is inhumane.

We argue, Australia is a multi-cultural society welcoming of all, regardless. A simple litmus test proved otherwise. When Neighbours’ producers introduced an Indian family into the all-white, fictional Ramsay Street, the reaction was unambiguous. Eventually, writers sent the family back to India – which is exactly what irate viewers demanded!

Under the Morrison Government, the permanent migration program was capped at 160,000 people, annually. The Australian Chamber of Commerce has called for that figure to be expanded to 200,000 to help secure the country’s economic pathway out of the pandemic.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese aspires to a kinder and less belligerent Federal parliament, one which, hopefully, will prove to be less about staying in power, and more about good governance; perhaps even create a nation where immigrants are embraced for their worth, and their contribution valued.

Roland can be contacted via [email protected].