In Reply To Mark Latham's Letter To Labor For Refugees

To: Mark Latham
Federal member for Werriwa
Leader of the Opposition
Canberra ACT

From: Matt Walker
Blackwood SA

Dear Mr Latham,

I am writing this letter on behalf of some concerned friends and relatives.

A few days ago a friend forwarded a letter you had written to Mr John RobertsonSecretary of the NSW Labor Council, for the Labor for Refugees campaign.

In this letter [ed note: scroll down the page] you made several points I and my friends found disturbing, that being as Labor leader you support -

Mandatory detention.
Stronger Border Protection.
Focus on people smuggling.

Reading it I thought this letter had been written by Senator Vanstone's office, or a prank, but seeing your about face rhetoric on the USA, and the buck passing with you blaming a staffer on the issue of "who placed Old Glory behind you" at a press conference (showing you really are PM material), I had to conclude that the letter was valid.

Then to read what I found truly unbelievable, you have the nerve to say to Mr Robertson,

"As part of our general policy review, I will be advocating this approach within the forums of the Federal parliamentary Labor Party. Your efforts to mimic the Greens and Democrats must be repudiated."

To that we can only say, Mr Latham, your efforts to mimic the Australian Liberal Party is deplorable, sickening and spineless. I just hope when you do advocate this tripe to the party conference it is seen to be what it is: a transparently Liberal Party approach to grabbing votes from the fear of the other.

Mark, if you do set up your "queue jumper-illegal immigrants scamsters department" (or what ever politically opportunistic spin you label it), try talking to a person working in Immigration. You may in fact find that we should not dwell on the tiny trickle of people who actually do come from these unhappy middle eastern war torn countries, but focus on the real illegal immigrants, people over-staying their visas.

But I am sure you are aware of that already. Just like Howard and his cohorts, who shame our once good name on a daily basis, you have learned that there are no votes in compassion, decency and fairness - just fear, ignorance and meanness.

Sadly you are now showing that you are just another shameful, ambitious, opportunistic politician. Have fun at the top Mark, but you will not have my help getting there, nor my friends or family.

You blew it son, Curtin and Chifley are squirming in their graves.

Matt Walker.

PS: When you character assassinate get your facts right - Phillip Adams lives in the country. More than likely where the refugees will settle.

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