Security Masks Political Bans
by workers online 7:23am Wed Dec 18 '02 article#38452
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
The Howard Government is using heightened security fears to declare
Australia off-limits to political opponents, blocking a US genetic
engineering campaigner from our shores.
Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock gave Doyle Canning, 22, his personal
seal of disapproval in signing off on a DIMIA report that stated refusal of
her holiday visa should "discourage" other activists from visiting Australia.
Her likely crime? Associating with anti-globalisation activists during a
six-month "field semester" in Tasmania and Victoria undertaken as part of
her education degree.
The Vermont-based genetic engineering campaigner told Workers OnLine she
was "shocked" to find herself on a Government blacklist.
"It's a bit of a worry to be barred from a country like Australia,
especially when they refuse to give you the reasons," the US citizen said.
"I have never engaged in violent activities of any kind but, I can only
presume, they class me as a terrorist.
"I met some great people when I was in Australia two years ago. I wanted to
visit some of my friends and comrades, it was going to be a holiday, I
wasn't going to do any work at all."
Canning addressed workshops in the lead-up to S11 during her six-month
study tour here and assumes that is behind Government's holiday ban.
Her record sports one trespass conviction, arising out of the "peaceful
occupation" of a US Congressman's office in Vermont, for which she was
subseqently fined $50. That conviction was recorded before her last visit
to Australia.
Canning works in Vermont as a biotech researcher-activist, supporting local
communities opposed to the arrival of GE operations in their regions.
She explained that, unaware of her undesirable status, she made a standard
internet application for an Australian holiday visa on September 1, 2001.
She was turned down, on line, and told to contact the Australian Embassy.
After being refused entry under Section 501 of the Immigration Act she
wrote to the Minister. Ruddock responded in July of this year, endorsing an
11-page DIMIA report, including "attachments A, B and C" which she was not
allowed to see.
"He said he had considered the evidence and decided I was not of good
character," Canning said. "It's indicative of the global political climate
in which organising so people can live in peace and dignity is now regarded
as a criminal activity."
She filed a complaint with the Commonwealth Ombudsman who sough access to
the contents of the mysterious "attachments A, B and C" on her behalf.
Ruddock's office refused to make them available to the Ombudsman.
Workers OnLine understands the Ombudsman has sought a ruling from the
Attorney General on the hush-hush element of the Immigration Department
decision.
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