Mr Abbott - Why Should We Believe You Tee

For those that don't know, Australia's coalition federal government was elected on the strength of three word slogans and one of the most frequently used was 'stop the boats.' 

This particular little gem appeals to many Australian's who worry that  brown skinned people will either steal their jobs* or their carpark at the suburban shopping centre and was vomited up by Liberal and National party candidates at every opportunity.

Having won the election the coalition gave their immigration policies an important, military,  sounding name (Operation Sovereign Borders) and proceeded to veil it in a cloak of secrecy that would put many fascist dictatorships to shame. 

The immigration minister, Scott Morrison, has taken to answering every question with 'we do not comment on operational matters' and it seems to roll so easily and often from his tongue that I wonder if he has actually said anything else since coming to office. (I have disturbing visions of Scott Morrison's wife asking him what he would like for breakfast and him answering 'we do not comment on operational matters' but that's nothing compared to election time when I thought Tony Abbott would cry 'stop the boats' during sex) 

My point is that, regardless of your position on refugees and asylum seekers, whether you think there should be more or less or whatever, every Australian should be very concerned that this government (the employee) has stopped communicating with the public (it's employer) because government secrecy is not consistent with the aspirations of an open democracy.

So the next time the minister or some other government hack or LNP troll tells you that there have been no boat arrivals since January ask them to prove it, better still tell them that you've heard   there have been ten boat arrivals since January and when they tell you you're wrong, ask them to prove it - then sit back and watch their argument implode because they can't. 

Mr Abbott - Why Should We Believe You? Tee Shirts by retrofitthefuture

More Refugees T-Shirts

Mr Abbott - Why Should We Believe You? Tee Shirts by retrofitthefuture
View more Refugees T-Shirts

*I would suggest that if you think you are in danger of losing your job to a poor person from another country who has few contacts, very little support and may not even speak English, you should think about getting another job or try a bit harder.