Random Acts of Compassion?

PUBLISHED IN COASTAL VIEWS MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2011 IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

I was reading in the local paper about the case of Som Sawaendgee and her attempts to get a Visa into Australia. In short, Som is the Thai partner of Andrew Oake, a Seaford Rise man who was tragically murdered in Thailand.
Now, Som is applying for residency here in
Australia, with the help and support of Andrew’s parents. Furthermore, Som and Andrew have a baby daughter, Angelina. And on top of that, Som was a witness to his murder in Thailand, and looks like having to testify at the upcoming trial over there. They’re paying the fees, following the correct channels and procedures.
So, if this is all accurate, then you would think that Som and Angelina would qualify for the appropriate visa that would allow them to stay in Australia. Wouldn’t you? I would.
But at this point, it appears that the Australian Government does not. At the time of writing, a final decision had not been made, but things were not looking too promising for Som.
This confuses me.

I am an advocate for granting those in need asylum or residency under these kinds of circumstances, especially when there is a child concerned, particularly when one of the parents is an Australian.
But I fail to see why some of those refugees and asylum seekers who arrive on boats or through other non-official channels are getting in and Som is, at this point, in effect being denied.
Before you roll your eyes and turn the page, relax; I’m not going to go into another asylum seeking boat people high horse rant. No, my issue for discussion is that of compassion...
We have compassion for the mentally and physically disabled, yes? Yes. We donate to their charitable causes and buy the raffle tickets and put coins in the tins.
We have compassion towards the flood victims in Queensland in their time of need when a natural disaster ripped through their homes, leaving behind devastation and fatalities. I’m sure many of us have made donations to the appeal or the Red Cross.
Obvious and logical causes where compassion is evident and, for lack of a warmer expression, valid. But then things get, shall we say, less clear...
The Australian Government gives billions of dollars in foreign aid to its less successful neighbours, to help them get a leg up and of course, to maintain good relations. Of course, for the most part, this is rarely reciprocated to the same level, but that’s not what we do it for. These countries need assistance to control their populations, to progress and advance. It doesn’t matter how they treat Australia in return. Some can lock up our citizens without trial. Some can even send some boatfuls of refugees our way. All fine. Good for the image. This is, perhaps, compassion.
Closer to home, the Government is compassionate towards addicts, junkies and meth heads. If they admit they have a substance abuse problem, the Government provides them with free healthcare, counselling and sometimes even a house to live in. They don’t have to work or contribute to the society that provides for them, just sit back and do what they do. Yes sir, that’s compassion. Isn’t it?
Smokers, who apparently are completely unaware of any negative effects their habit may have on their health, are entitled to government subsidised assistance with quitting. Be it nicotine patches or their own special phone line. Mmm, compassion, surely.
Even those individuals who are unaware that overeating will cause you to become obese and unwell can even get subsidised medical procedures to lose weight. Compassion?

Perhaps you can see where I’m going with this. Our government hands out assistance and money all the time, and it’s labelled ‘compassion’. For the needy, the sick, the poor, the underprivileged, the weak and the foolish.
When our sportspeople play a charity match, they are legends. When our music heroes play a benefit concert, they are idols. When Mary MacKillop helped the poor and wretched, she was our Saint.

But what happens when a Thai girl sees her Australian husband killed, then wants to come to Australia to raise their baby daughter with his family, in a safer, supportive environment, following all correct procedures?

Well, we’ll just have to see about that...