smh.com.au
Expatriate Australian's Loss of Voting Rights Highlights Diaspora Disenfranchisement
An Australian journalist living in Paris recounts their inability to vote in the 2022 federal election and the Voice referendum due to residing abroad during the pandemic, highlighting the challenges faced by Australian citizens living overseas and their disenfranchisement from the Australian political process.
- What challenges did the author face as an Australian citizen living overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how did these experiences impact their sense of belonging?
- The author, a former Australian citizen now residing in Paris, lost their voting rights due to residing overseas during the pandemic. This highlights the challenges faced by Australians living abroad, particularly during border closures and extended lockdowns. The inability to vote in the recent Voice referendum further underscores this disenfranchisement.
- How did the Australian government's border closure and travel restrictions impact Australian citizens living abroad, and what were the broader implications of these policies?
- The author's experience reflects broader challenges faced by many Australians living abroad, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Australian government's border closures and travel restrictions, coupled with the inability to re-enrol to vote while living overseas, created significant barriers for citizens residing internationally. This disenfranchisement is particularly poignant given Australia's multicultural history and high rates of overseas-born residents.
- What are the potential long-term consequences of the Australian government's policies on expatriate voting and citizenship, and what measures could be taken to address these issues?
- The author's decision to pursue French citizenship highlights a potential trend of Australians seeking alternative forms of political participation due to feelings of disenfranchisement from the Australian system. This underscores a need for the Australian government to review its policies regarding overseas voting and citizenship rights to better accommodate its diaspora and maintain their engagement with the nation's political process. The lack of representation for expatriates could lead to a decline in civic engagement amongst Australians living abroad.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative frames the author's loss of Australian identity and voting rights as a consequence of the pandemic border closures. This framing emphasizes the personal impact rather than providing a broader analysis of the government's policies and their various effects on Australians. The headline (if any) would heavily influence this framing. The introduction strongly positions the author's personal feelings and experience.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral, but the author's emotional tone and descriptive language can be considered loaded at times. For example, describing the Australian government's actions as "horror" or Australia's national sport as "forgetting" is subjective and emotionally charged. While this reflects the author's personal feelings, it's not strictly neutral reporting. More objective wording would enhance the article's impartiality.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the author's personal experiences with border closures and their impact on their sense of belonging, potentially omitting broader societal perspectives on Australia's pandemic response and its effects on different demographic groups. The lack of statistical data regarding the impact of border closures on various demographics could be considered an omission. While acknowledging the author's personal experience is valid, a wider range of voices and data would improve the analysis.
False Dichotomy
The article subtly presents a false dichotomy by contrasting the author's experience of difficulty returning to Australia during the pandemic with the perceived unconcern of those within Australia. This overlooks the complexities of the situation, including the varied experiences and opinions among Australians regarding the pandemic response. The simplistic 'us vs. them' framing needs further nuance.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article describes the author's experience with their father's cancer diagnosis and death during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the negative impact of border closures on access to healthcare and family support. The inability to attend a funeral and the prolonged separation from family due to travel restrictions underscore the detrimental effects on mental and emotional well-being. The author also mentions the stress and anxiety caused by the Australian government's travel ban on citizens returning from India during a COVID-19 outbreak. This directly relates to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The border closures and restrictions created significant barriers to accessing timely and adequate healthcare and emotional support, hindering progress towards this goal.