September 16, 2015
by Anne Miller
It seems South Burnett residents – at least those who express opinions loudly on Facebook – don’t want to offer a friendly welcome to Syrian refugee families.
Mayor Wayne Kratzmann sought feedback on the idea of re-housing some refugees at Wednesday morning’s Council meeting.
He’s now getting it in spades:
“Seriously ?!?!?! Are there not enough issues throughout the South Burnett now ? Housing, unemployment, crime, etc No way!!!”
“Yeah well done.. People are having a hard time getting work out here already…… Pull ya head in kratzy”
“No freaking way!!!!!!!!!”
“NOOOOOO we need to take care for our community first”
“Forget the stupid politics Wayne and look after our own people in the South Burnett.”
“No, support your own people before helping foreigners!”
“Send them to the city where’s there’s more jobs. Australias full.”
“The Government wants to give handouts pfft help us first”
“Put them up next door to him see how he likes it”
“HELL NO!!!! There are soooo many reasons why we shouldn’t take ANY “refugees”!
“Bring none in not wanted !!!!”
“Wake Up Kzatzmann (sic) and pull your head out of your a***, we have so many homeless in Our district an you want to bring in more….”
“Kratzman why dont you take a refugee family in and lead the way. Oh and next they will want a mosque built. No No No”
“No, ABSOLUTELY NO. How can you tell the difference between friend or foe? Look what happened in the Sydney cafe, it could happen right here. Im sure ISIS would be willing to use the crisis to its benefit, think about it. If a crazy can do damage like the incident in Sydney, what could a number of those crazy morbid gurus do in Kingaroy. Its a recipe for disaster economics and social wise.”
“All these bleeding hearts are all well and good, but beware of what you wish for, it’s always better the devil you know, and at the moment, there’s very little risk of seeing the flag of Isis flying in the streets of the SB, unlike what is already being seen in Europe.”
“Won’t be long and we won’t be called Australia anymore, we’ll be called “Stew-Land”. A bit of everything thrown in, all different colours and herbs …”
Many of the commenters feared Syrian refugees would lead to fewer jobs in the area, higher rates or a refugee “levy” (despite assurances of Federal Government funding), and a shortage of housing.
“Not much housing and no jobs around. Who’s going to pay for them? Another levy on rates no doubt.”
“Definitely not, the work isn’t there for locals let alone Syrians”
Some also suggested the government should look after the needy and homeless in Australia first:
“Look after true Aussies first!!”
“No, support your own people before helping foreigners! Enough people in the Burnett struggling to find jobs and adequate housing.”
There was also fear of “creeping” Sharia law, despite the fact the Federal Government has already indicated the refugees would be from “oppressed minorities”, ie most likely Christians:
“Next thing you will be telling us we can’t sell pork in the south Burnett cause it offends them and wanting us to build a mosque. No way”
“All Syrians are Muslim. Why are you even asking the question????”
“I feel for the Christian Syrians, but how can you weed out the Islamic faith to the Christians? It was only yesterday I was reading that a lot of the Muslims are now wearing crosses because the ones already in Europe are sending back messages to let them know what is best to be allowed in and to get accepted. France is lost to the Muslims as is Sweden these 2 once beautiful countries are on the verge of civil war. Besides if allowed here, how long before the Muslims are demanding swickers and piggerys are shut down? Also the shite Muslims are being killed by isis, as are the yadizis and the pershmegas. I have no sympathy for anyone of the Islamic faith. It is cruel and barbaric.”
“We will learn the hard way once car bombings an an beheadings in our towns then u will think twice on it send them back to there country’s”
And perhaps threats to newcomers:
“If this happens. I will definately (sic) call for our people to protect ourselves. Not a second thought.”
Suggestions have ranged from dumping refugees in the Simson (sic) Desert:
To sending them to Sydney:
One man suggested that anyone who was pro-refugee could not possibly be a true South Burnett resident:
A couple suggested perhaps Mayor Kratzmann at the Bunya Mountains or the newly-elected PM could help out:
Some posts could be described as neutral:
“Real refugees yes but the opportunist we seen on TV no way …”
“Maybe we should stop bombing their homes and they would stay there …”
“As long as you guarantee that they won’t take the little jobs available within the south Burnett and we get more police presence around.”
“So many Bigots in the South Burnett”
And only a couple of positive:
“Yes of course we should share this lucky country”
“Yes – aside from it being the right thing to do, more people = more jobs and more investment in the area.”
“There is no merit to any of the comments about how Refugees will bring so many negative repercussions to our community. These people are not extremists. The majority are Christians fleeing persecution … These people are fleeing their country because they DON’T have the same beliefs of the likes of IS. Don’t you think an influx of people could boost businesses currently operating, create a need for new business and create more jobs? It would be nice to be part of a community that was forward thinking and not a stereotypically backwards country town full of bigotry.”
“Yep good idea we need a bigger population in the South Burnett & Kingaroy. You will find these people are intelligent and will quickly settle into the community & some will create businesses. That housing mess at Memerambi could be utilised for this exercise.”
Although what the owners of the Memerambi houses would think about this last suggestion is unknown!
The South Burnett Regional Council has invited residents to register their opinions via a short survey on Council’s website
Printed surveys will also be available at Customer Service Centres and at libraries.
- Related article: Mayor Seeks Feedback Over Refugees
