Persuasive Speech On Asylum Seekers

We, as a nation, have apologised, but an apology cannot undo the wrong that was done. Rather, an apology is a declaration of commitment to ensure that the mistakes of the past never resurface. Sadly, these are empty words if there are no actions to back them up; worse yet, if our actions as a nation contradict what we say.
The 2013 federal election focussed heavily on the issue of asylum seekers, in particular those who come by boat. People fleeing war and persecution often undertake desperate measures in pursuit of a safe and happy life for themselves and their families. This includes making dangerous journeys by sea in poorly maintained vessels, often without adequate lifesaving provisions. Men, women, children and babies cram into these boats and hope to make it safely to our shores. Hundreds drown when their boat leaks, or shatters on the rocks of our northern coast.
The safety of asylum seekers is not the main concern for our government or media, however. The issue of asylum seekers is centred around the Australian population, who maintain a vice-like grip on their fear that anyone or anything should rob us of our

It is a word that sums up our nation’s treatment of asylum seekers. We have degraded asylum seekers by referring to them as boat people, and calling them not by name, but by the ID number of the boat they came on. We have degraded asylum seekers by detaining them for indefinite periods without any charge laid against them, denying them access to any lawyer, and processing their claims outside of our usual legal system. We have degraded asylum seekers by limiting medical and psychological intervention, even confiscating medical devices such as glasses, hearing aids and prosthetics. We have degraded asylum seekers by telling them that they are not worthy of sharing in the bounty of our wealthy country, based on how they arrive here. And in degrading asylum seekers, we have degraded our own