DEAR News of the Area,

THANK you for publishing the success story of Dim Zam Cing (‘Employment Success For Dim Zam Cing’, p11, Coffs Coast News Of The Area, Friday 21 January 2022 Edition).

The letter in the same publication from Mike Griffin (p27, Opinions and Letters) drawing our attention to the book Seeking Asylum: Our Stories, published by the Asylum Seeker resource Centre is a timely reminder following the Djokovic saga that while the tennis player was isolated for a few days, innocent people were held prisoner in the same hotel where they had been for up to nine years.

Ever since the shameful Tampa affair politicians have known that there are votes in demonising people who attempt to reach a place of safety especially if that place of safety happens to be our own country.

What does that say about us?

We need to look behind the tough guy measures and read the true accounts of detention from asylum seekers themselves.

The truth is horrifying and should be for all right thinking Australians.

Please, can we have more refugees’ stories in NOTA?

Regards,
Margaret ENGLAND,
Toormina.