Young Batswana not welcome in Australia
Correspondent | Friday February 28, 2020 15:50
People from all countries of the world are represented in Australia. The country is a melting pot of race, religion and nationalities.
Equity and diversity are grounded in Australian society particularly in relation to employment and promotion in the workplace.
But, given the importance placed on equity and diversity in Australian society, why is it that it does not translate across to all of Australia’s immigration programmes? I am referring here to an Australian international employment programme the Working Holiday Visa Programme (WHVP). The WHVP is open to any person aged between 18 and 30 from qualifying countries, which include Belgium, Estonia, Hong Kong, Malta, United Kingdom, Canada, Finland, Ireland, Netherlands, Cyprus, France, Japan, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, South Korea and Taiwan. Though people aged up to 35 from Canada, France and Ireland are also eligible.
An examination of that list reveals that it is heavily weighted in favour of citizens from Europe and some Asian countries. Some of those countries are major trading partners with Australia but not all of them. Not a single country from Africa is included in the WHVP. Botswana therefore is not a qualifying country. Which means the youth of Botswana cannot participant in the WHVP. Which raises the question about whether Australia genuinely supports full equity and diversity, or does it only apply to those persons who live in Australia? The application of Australian foreign policy appears to be excluded.
In 2018 President Trump referred to Haiti, El Salvador, and an assortment of African nations as “sh**hole” countries. While no Australian leader has made similar claims, prejudice against black Africans does exist in Australia. In 2018 the Liberal Party of Australia, the current political party in power federally, endorsed a policy favouring the immigration of white farmers from South Africa to Australia on the grounds they were being persecuted.
A similar policy was never proposed for persecuted black African farmers or for farmers in other parts of Africa enduring persecution, especially those at the hands of terrorist groups. And again in 2018 when a small group of youths from the South Sudanese community in Melbourne, the capital of Victoria an Australian State went on a crime spree, some politicians labelled them as “African Gangs” and claimed the city had an “African gang crisis”.
This is despite denials by the Victorian police and the fact that people born in Sudan who live in Victoria were responsible for only one percent of all crimes committed in that state. Sadly, and inappropriately the comments were made for political gain, something I thought I would never hear and hope I never experience again in Australia.
In strategic terms, the African continent has long been ignored by Australia. Only in late 2019, over 53 years after Botswana gained independence, did Australia appoint a High Commissioner to the country. Australian companies and firms, including Malkara Consulting predated the appointment.
While making a profit is the key objective, no reputable and smart organisation would invest in Botswana or commence business in the country unless their investment was safe, and the rule of law respected.
Botswana is a standout achiever in Africa. Its many attributes include:
- It is the least corrupt country in Africa and one of the least corrupt countries in the world. Has remained politically stable since achieving independence
- Has an extensive history of sound economic management with revenues obtained by the government, particularly from mining, retained in a general reserve to develop the country
- Highly educated work force trained by locally operated and managed training colleges and universities
- Low crime rate where the rule of law is respected by the people, including young people
- High emphasis and results on protecting the environment.
Botswana should be included in WHVP not only based on the above but also due to the substantial investment or interest being shown by Australian companies in Botswana. Offering the young people of Botswana positions in the WHVP would be just one way of ensuring that the relationship between the two countries was not one-sided.
Botswana does not need aid. It needs a fair go from the international community. And by denying the youth of Botswana access to the WHVP, Australia is not being fair. In fact, it is being unjust. Allowing young Batswana to participate in WHVP would enable them to remit spare funds back home to assist their families. Remittance is a big earner of foreign exchange and has been shown to be more valuable than aid to a country.
But the gains extend beyond financial benefits. Young Batswana would improve their knowledge and skill working in Australia and share with Australians their experiences and values. The overwhelming majority of citizens of Botswana are devoted Christians. Their strong faith would ensure that they blend in with the culture and values of Australia, of which the countries have much in common.
Australia has gone from strength to strength whenever new migrants from a country arrive in significant numbers. And no doubt the same will happen if Australia allows Botswana access to the WHVP.
Inclusion of one African country in WHVP will help remove a widely held belief that Australians are racist and only engage with Africa when we want something from them. Botswana with a population of just over two million people would make an ideal candidate for inclusion in the WHVP.
Parents, citizens and young people of Botswana are encouraged to contact their local Member of Parliament and raise their support for inclusion of the country in Australia’s WHVP.
And readers are encouraged to share their view with the author: Chris.douglas@malkaraconsulting.com
*Chris Douglas is a director at Malkara Consulting Australia. He is a former Australian police officer with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for 31 years where he investigated money laundering, drug trafficking, people smuggling, human trafficking, corruption, organised crime and fraud investigations. His extensive experience has made him a sought-after consultant and trainer in the field of financial crime and risk management. His firm Malkara Consulting provides training and consultancy services to clients in Botswana.
CHRIS DOUGLAS*