GUEST BLOG: Damon Rusden – The politics of principle
Contrary to popular belief, there is often a fine line between pragmatism and idealism. The art of welding the two together is what makes for great public presentation – and that can often lead to a better outcome for everyone involved.
It’s about setting goals, and achieving those practically. The new Labour government has done the right thing in doubling the refugee quota. Not only are we one of the worst in the world (per capita) for taking in refugees, but a lot of our international capital has been based on our sensible humanitarian work. We have been the voice of reason every time we have had a seat on the United Nations Security Council, and are respected for it. We have taken a bold stance on a variety of issues in New Zealand’s short history (look at Rwanda and apartheid) and often we have been on the right side of history.
This is what irritates me about Jacinda caving to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. This was her Tampa moment, her time to shine and walk the talk. And yet she has said nothing when Turnbull placated her with a ‘maybe’ because they’re waiting for Trump to honour a deal made with Australia when Obama was in charge. Trump has claimed it is the “worst deal ever” and has little appetite for refugees. They haven’t even agreed on a number. Meanwhile, hundreds are in third world conditions which are getting worse by the hour.
I understand that we must be diplomatic in our relationship with our ANZAC neighbour. And I think Jacinda has done so with her response to Australia hiking uni fees for kiwis by three times the current amount. She has said she can’t let that slide, and fair enough. She hasn’t been aggressive, and dealt with this blow from Australia well. John Key did the same when Australia slashed entitlements for kiwis living there. Both leaders dealt the hand they were played with admirable temperament.
But here’s the kicker – the 606 refugees stranded on Manus Island have, legally, nothing to do with Australia. The courts found it was illegal to have them held in Papua New Guinea and so they shut them down. Now they have been days without food, water and sanitation. One recently needed urgent medical attention. They fear to move because of the locals are antagonizing them and have made it clear they are not wanted. Jacinda does not have to talk to Turnball at all.
Here’s where practicality and principle provides the best outcome for everyone. Jacinda can broker a deal with Papua New Guinea, include the refugees in our official United Nations quota and bring this humanitarian crises to a close. She makes a bold stand against an Australia who is increasingly dismissive of us, and once again raises New Zealand’s profile on the international stage. She makes up for the quasi-disaster that was the selection of Trevor Mallard by being a strong leader. And Turnbull no longer has to worry about the increasing domestic political ramifications. And let’s be real – Turnbull is worried about “boat people” coming to Australia. Well, they’re desperate. They will come regardless. Nobody in a positon where they place their lives in jeopardy to board a rickety boat facilitated by a shady people smuggler and cross the ocean is going to care about Australasian grandstanding.
I think it’s feasible. It is principled and idealist. But we need that in a government. And frankly, it’s the right thing to do.
Damon Rusden is a chef, journalist and law student with an avid belief in civic education and accountability. He was also a Green Party candidate.
National dont do ‘practical’ Damon sorry.
Damon says;
‘It’s about setting goals, and achieving those practically’
So if national will not ever restore our broken rail system and wants to keep spending billions on roads for more trucks how is this ‘practical?
The latest global climate change reports last week says we need to now move freight to rail and reduce truck freight but national are still pushing for more money for truck roads?????
You’re correct – it could be a Tampa moment.
I still can’t understand why we’re so worried about upsetting the current Okker junta, except for romantic notions over what it is an ANZAC spirit is that only exists a couple of times a year.
Over the past couple of decades – except for a few brief moments, the Oz-NZ relationship has been a bit like a battered wife syndrome relationship:
They can be complete arseholes time after time, incident after incident, yet we fear the consequences of taking a principled stand.
It’s both sad and pathetic.
Comes a point when another Tampa moment will have to happen if NZ wants to maintain/regain its reputation and act – even if it does jeopardize what ever the current equivalent of an ANZUS agreement is.
It’s quite likely that the whole Australian parliament is illegitimate anyway based on the rules of the game they created (their constitution). Thank Christ we didn’t hook up with them way back then and went it alone.
It has a junta with at least three cowardly bully boy people who’re the closest thing to fascists (Mathias Corman, Scott Morrison and Dutton) I’ve ever come across. Then there’s a diminutive Jooly Bishop – Australia’s sophisticated version of a Collins or Bennett and a Pyne who does a better job of playing Tory Boy than Harry Enfield ever did.
FFS Nu Zull – get to the nearest Women’s Refuge and start giving a bit of support to others equally in need