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Asylum Seekers

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Submitted By Rozanna
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Australia should accept asylum seekers. Discuss.
Introduction:
In recent years, the asylum seeker issue has been an increasing interest in Australia with many opposed opinions that led a much debated question is whether Australia should accept the asylum seekers or not. In this essay, I attempt to defend the view that the asylum seekers should be accepted into Australia because of the following reasons.
Body:
Firstly, Australia is one of the many countries that signed the 1951 Refugee Convention. It states that if people are found to be escaping persecution, they are to be allowed into the country. In order to comply with its responsibilities, Australia must increase its intake / start accepting refugees.
A second incentive is Australia has the means to accommodate large numbers of people. As sung in the Australian National Anthem, Australia has “boundless plains to share” with “those who’ve come across the seas”. By accepting and welcoming people from around the world, all walks of life Australia will become a stronger and richer nation. By not allowing asylum seekers to integrate in Australian society, we are missing out on the opportunities to build our country.
Finally, the financial. While some would argue that Australia should not accept asylum seekers because it is a huge financial burden. Australia current method of dealing with asylum seekers in offshore detention centres is far more expensive that the costs of educating and integrating these people. Although there are certainly short term costs associated with settlement, language education and job training, in the medium to long term, these asylum seekers will become contributing, tax-paying members of society. Accepting asylum seekers will, in the long term help to build and strengthen Australia economy. which currently places an unreasonable burden on destination states
Conclusion:
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