TERRY SARTEN: How long before Abbott needs to seek asylum?

PROTECTION: Tony Abbott needs to care more about the well-being of children of asylum seekers. PHOTO/FILE A-270114SPLABBOTT1

A LETTER signed by a range of New Zealand health professionals has been sent to the Australian Government, voicing concerns that legislation silencing those who work with asylum seekers from reporting on the welfare of children in detention centres is a contradiction of the medical profession's ethical requirements.

It is clear the Australian Government does not want people to know about the effect their detention policy is having on asylum seekers' children but this move to keep this hidden from view is a sure sign they know the current policy is immoral and wrong.

This legislation is another blow to Australian support for lected politicians, with Labor and the Tony Abbott-led coalition hitting record lows in recent polls.

It may be time for Abbott to take a boat and seek refuge in New Zealand. The problem is that might be intercepted by the Australian Navy, turned back and forced either to make the long journey back to where he originally came from, which is Britain, or be held in indefinite detention on Nauru or Christmas Island. There he would face long years in what appears to be a badly run prison, waiting on a decision on whether his request for asylum from the terrors of a population who want him gone would be recognised.

Alternatively, he might be sent to a struggling Third-World country such as Cambodia because Australia is paying them to take the people they don't want.

While in the detention camp, Abbott would possibly become depressed from seeing how the children in the camp become unwell, traumatised by incarceration and exposed to the risk of assault or sexual abuse from those who have power over them. If he made a complaint it would be hushed up by the Australian Government. If the doctors treating his depression spoke out about the conditions he was exposed to they would be threatened with legal action.

His protestations that he was fleeing persecution by Australian voters who disagreed with his approach to asylum seekers who arrive by boat would be labelled as simply the views of another illegal queue-jumping refugee. It is possible at that point that he might start self-harming and questioning his sanity.

The other option for Prime Minister Abbott is a possible appearance in The Hague for breaching international obligations to respect the rights of children.

The other more local Whanganui matter of equity has come with the questions about why a photographer was allowed to move freely in the flood zone "at his own risk" but owners of buildings were told they could be arrested for entering their own properties. This seems to be completely out of whack. I can understand why there is some anger around this from those who were held back from inspecting their homes and premises. Either it was dangerous for everyone to be in the area or it was not.

My final issue for the record (that goes round and round) this week is a call made through a maze of hurdles to ask a phone provider why the service did not allow calls to 0800 numbers on the mobile in question.

This query was greeted with checking that there was not confusion with 0900? But no - the 0800 was the problem. Are you sure you cannot get 0800? Yes. Have you tried 0800 numbers? Yes that is why I am calling - my phone will not allow me to call 0800. It should allow you to call 0800? Yes it should but it does not allow me to call 0800. Your phone should be able to call 0800 numbers. Yes it should but it does not. It should call 0800 - I will check.

Hmm, it does not allow calls to 0800 so I will correct that for your phone. You can now call 0800. Thank you.

-Terry Sarten is a writer, musician, satirista and social worker - feedback: tgs@inspire.net.nz