The new Australian of the Year was Professor Patrick McGorry, a renowned Youth Psychiatrist, who had received numerous awards of note throughout what had to this point been an acclaimed and distinguished career in the field of mental health.
McGorry had, within hours of being awarded his latest honour, made public comment relating to the way in which 'asylum-seekers' to some, 'illegal immigrants' to others, but to all, those seeking refuge in Australia for one reason or another, were being detained.
Christmas Island was the main detention centre within Australia, off the west coast from the mainland. McGorry's view was that detention centres were "factories for mental illness." His view was that asylum-seekers who had yet to be granted refugee status, should have their status processed whilst living within the community at large, with access to Medicare benefits and the like.
Only 24 hours later, after his comment had received more press coverage than he himself had received for his Australia Day Council acclamation, McGorry was perhaps too keen to atone for his 'error' and, at a citizenship ceremony in Cenberra attended by the Prime Minister, he found the perfect opportunity to apologise for his 'wayward' comment. McGorry was anxious, it seemed, to have Rudd understand he had meant it as a sign of support for the present government.
Rudd seemed less than concerned, but behind the scenes he may well have been seething at the Australia Day Council's latest choice for Australian of the Year. 'Only another 364 days to go with this wanker', he most likely thought, although by all reports it was quite possible his language could have been more colourful.
Either way, if McGorry's comment had been, as he suggested, a show of support, a critical comment from him would surely be duly noted.
But McGorry had brought to the fore an issue that would see a lot of air-time over the coming months. There was no doubt 'asylum-seekers' were seen by some as 'queue-jumpers,' given a direct invitation to join those that had waited years for the privilege of proving themselves 'worthy.'
Was there room for a refugee program? Yes. Were all 'asylum-seekers' seeking refuge as a result of a home lost, a war ravaged, an inability to return to their homeland? Probably not.
But no matter your belief on emotive issues such as these, border protection and immigration were sure to be areas of concern in the Federal Election to be held most likely later in the year.
Amongst all the emotion, there was one constant amongst all those that wanted to come to Australia to establish a new life, be they immigrants, refugees or otherwise. It was a country that would be sure to provide security and freedom, one of only six continuous democracies the world over, and one that had never seen major conflict on its shores.
On Australia Day, this was cause for celebration.
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