Policy as punishment: asylum seekers in the community without the right to work

Introduction: This research paper details the experiences of 29 asylum seekers who were released from immigration detention in Australia into community-based arrangements with no right to work and limited entitlements. All of the men and women interviewed for this research arrived to Australia by boat after 13 August 2012, the date when the former Labor Government commenced this policy. The term “asylum seeker” refers here to an individual who arrived to Australia wishing to claim asylum but whose refugee status is yet to be determined. An individual is found to be a refugee if it is considered likely they would face persecution in their home country due to their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) report that 88 per cent of the refugee claims that were processed in 2012-13 for asylum seekers who came to Australia by boat resulted in protection visas being granted. During the previous three years, over 90 per cent of these claims resulted in protection visas being granted. It is likely, therefore, that a significant proportion of asylum seekers currently in Australia who arrived by boat will also be recognised as refugees. This paper aims to elevate the experiences of asylum seekers living in the community without the right to work. It is important that the voices of those most affected by government policies are heard. While some argue that democratically elected governments have a mandate to implement the asylum policies they outlined prior to an election,8 decision makers must also consider the impacts of these policies on asylum seekers themselves. Governments retain vast powers to decide the fate of asylum seekers who arrive at the borders. This ‘asymmetry of power’ has too often meant that policies have been adopted in Australia that ignore the right of people fleeing persecution to seek asylum. These policies have also been adopted despite the existence of research that documents the harm created by earlier such policies. As the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection acknowledges, some 27,000 asylum seekers that continue to live in the community without the right to work have been left ‘effectively sitting around’. Our research findings reinforce that policy shifts are needed to address this. However, the experiences of asylum seekers themselves must guide future policy making. To this end, the words of the interviewees are included here as much as possible to illustrate the findings of this research. Many of our findings are consistent with those of other studies on asylum seekers and the right to work. We discuss this relevant research and make recommendations accordingly at the end of each section. Before discussing the research findings, we provide an overview of current policy and outline the research design and methodology

Static loads on the lower back for two modalities of the isometric smith squat

Introduction: The squat is one of the most effective exercises in athletic training. However, there is a scarcity of research that reports the muscular and joint loads in the lumbar region incurred when performing the high bar and the low bar isometric squat modalities in a Smith machine. Therefore, this study aims to determine the muscle force of the lower back extensors, and the compressive (Rc) and shear (Rs) forces at the lumbosacral joint for the one repetition maximum (1RM) high bar and low bar isometric parallel-depth Smith squats. Methods: Eight healthy male well-trained 400-m sprinters participated in the study. The athletes performed the two modalities of the isometric squat on a 7° backward-inclined Smith machine using a mean ± SD 1RM external resistance of 100.3 ± 7.2 kg. During the squat, the participants paused for 2-3 s at the bottom of the squat, corresponding to a position in which the thighs are parallel to the ground. This was, therefore, considered a static position for the calculation of isometric muscle forces and joint loads using static mechanical analysis. Moment arms, and joint and segmental angles were calculated from video images of the squatting performance. Internal forces were computed using a geometrical model of the trunk and lower limb. Results: Spinal extensor muscular forces and lumbo-sacral joint forces were higher when using the low bar technique; with the exception of Rs which was approximately equal. The mean Rc were 10.2 body weights (BW) or 8,014 N (high bar) and 11.1 BW or 8,729 N (low bar). Discussion: The low bar technique yields higher Rc and may therefore be avoided in the rehabilitation of spinal injuries. Increased bone mineral density and well-developed trunk musculature due to long term squat training can provide protection against passive spinal tissue failure. Therefore, the Rc found for the 1RM isometric parallel-depth Smith squat do not appear excessive for healthy well-trained athletes. The presence of Rs at the lumbo-sacral joint in both squat modalities suggests potential for damage to the intervertebral disc. The findings provide an in-depth understanding of the two squat modalities in isometric conditions for the prevention of lower back injury and the design of rehabilitation programs

Conceptualisation of Gender and Relationships in Song texts

After introducing the theoretical frame of the study given through Lakoff and Johnson’s Conceptual Metaphor Theory, the goals and ideas behind the undertaking of this question will be explained in more details. A consequent chapter of the paper is dedicated to methodology and proceedings. Great importance and care is given to this chapter, as the study isn’t completely embedded in any traditional school of linguistics, with standard procedures, but rather an experimental work combining more than one research approaches. The results of the study will be presented in two sections. They will first be presented in a relatively traditional view of conceptual metaphor, and then evaluated from discourse analysis, feminist linguistics and socio-historical perspectives. Finally, we want to remind the reader that language is one of the main specificities of human beings, and thus linguistics should be centred in the general human sciences. For this reason, and because of the theme of our research question, we chose to conclude the process with a Gender Study approach

COVID-19 online learning landscapes and CALDMR students: opportunities and challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities of educational systems in Australia and around the world. For universities, campus closures and a rapid shift to teaching and learning online — which we call emergency remote delivery (ERD) to distinguish from planned online learning — has deepened inequalities in access to quality learning experiences. While the challenges created by COVID for universities and students have not yet fully unfolded, ERD has both created new, and magnified existing barriers for educational participation, as well as some unanticipated positive consequences for enhanced flexibility and more engaged learning. In particular, it has created new educational and social vulnerability for culturally and linguistically diverse migrant and/or refugee (CALDMR) communities. COVID has also exposed the stresses and difficulties for educators, student-facing support staff (SFSS; equity practitioners, student advisors, learning advisors, counsellors), and educational developers

Static loads on the knee and ankle for two modalities of the isometric smith squat

Introduction: The back squat is a popular strength training exercise that recruits approximately 75% of the muscular system. However, knowledge of muscular and joint loads incurred when performing two variations of the back squat, namely the high bar and the low bar isometric parallel-depth Smith squat, is limited. Therefore this study aims to determine the lower limb muscle forces and the compressive and shear joint forces at the knee and ankle incurred in these two subtle variations of the one repetition maximum (1RM) isometric Smith squat. Method: Eight healthy male 400-m sprinters participated in the study. The participants performed the two modalities of the squat using a 7° backward-inclined Smith machine. The bottom of the squat corresponded to a position in which the thighs are parallel to the ground. The mean ± SD 1RM external load for the eight participants was 100.3 ± 7.2 kg. During the squat, the participants paused for 2-3 s at the bottom of the squat. This was, therefore, considered a static position for the calculation of isometric muscle forces and joint loads using static mechanical analysis. Moment arms, and joint and segmental angles were calculated from video images of the squat obtained at 25 Hz. Internal forces were computed using a geometrical model of the lower limb. Results: Quadriceps muscle and knee joint forces were higher in the high bar squat; where, the mean patellofemoral joint reaction force was 3.7 body weights (BW). The ankle extensor muscle and ankle joint forces were larger in the low bar squat; whereby, the mean compressive force at the ankle joint was 3.0 BW. Discussion: The high bar squatting modality may be avoided in the rehabilitation of ACL injury. Conversely, the low bar technique may be discouraged in conditions of ankle joint instability, strained Achilles tendon, and damaged gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. The findings of the static biomechanical evaluation provide an in-depth understanding of the musculoskeletal loads associated with the two squat modalities in isometric conditions and offer a foundation for the dynamic modelling of the high bar and low bar Smith squat. Further, the knowledge gained can be used for the prevention of injury in strength training and in the design of rehabilitation programs that control muscle recruitment and joint loads

Going somewhere or staying put? The social psychology of movements that challenge minority-majority relations

In many societies around the world the position that members of a privileged majority should take regarding institutionalised inequalities experienced by some minority groups is the site of contentious debate. Despite, or perhaps even because of, such debate there is often a lack of progress of these views into well-defined and effective movements that produce social change. This thesis starts with the assumption that reducing intergroup inequality involves, at least in part, the effective mobilisation and engagement of majority members. Using Australia as a case example, the central research question is what are the social psychological factors that help movements take a form that is consistent with action to produce change in minority-majority relations? From a social identity perspective, it is argued that such movements encounter challenges due to the conflicting (and potentially conflicted) emotions and beliefs that their members and other members of the society hold. The research is based on a triangulation of qualitative and quantitative methods and is conducted in the context of significant socio-political transformations in Australian society, starting with the defeat of a social conservative Australian Prime Minister and the succeeding Prime Minister‘s apology to the minority Indigenous population for past wrongs. In a review of Australia‘s recent socio-political history, social psychological factors of potential relevance to the research question are proposed (Chapter 1). Evidence for some of these claims is then offered through the reporting of interviews of social activists (Chapter 2). In light of the Prime Minister‘s apology to Australia‘s Indigenous population and the findings from the interviews, the remaining chapters focus specifically on Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations. In Chapter 3, the social psychological theoretical concepts and research relevant to this issue are critically reviewed. In three cross-sectional studies during the year after the apology, majority group members‘ positions regarding policies that aim to foster reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians are tracked (Chapter 4). This research provides correlational evidence for the utility of the opinion-based groups construct in explaining collective action intentions in contexts of emerging debate. Findings show that other factors such as group-based guilt and efficacy beliefs play an important, but secondary role in predicting action. Results also show that groups formed around opinions can become disconnected from action and explanations for this are discussed. The utility of opinion-based group memberships in capturing emerging debate and collective action is also explored on a social networking internet site (Chapter 5). In Study 1, a content analysis of group forming around conflicting positions about minority-majority relations is presented. In Study 2, posts on the discussion board of two groups with opposing positions about the apology is analysed over a six point period. Findings suggest that group discussion and the actions advocated by group members shifted with changes in the offline political environment. Specifically, pro-apology group members are more likely to encourage others to undertake actions to promote their groups‘ opinion compared to the anti-apology group. Chapter 6 examines whether the same processes underpin action for activists compared to sympathisers regarding to two government policies designed to address Indigenous disadvantage: economic development and paternalistic intervention. Most noteworthy, social movement identification is found to be an important predictor of action for the economic development policy for activists, whereas opinion-based group identification is important for the general community. Social identity has no predictive value for the intervention policy for either sample. It is argued that these results suggest the lack of development of action-orientated identities. In a technical note (Chapter 7), the validity of the opinion-based group construct is examined and it is argued that opinion-based group membership can be an excellent predictor of action but opinion-processes might be more relevant in certain contexts (e.g., for contested issues). This thesis provides converging evidence for the idea that the incipient and actual members of the movements can be seen to be involved in active processes of forming social identities that are suited to producing social change. At all times these movements also appear to face challenges from alternative views (government decisions, public opinion and the policies of organisations). In some cases these appear likely to compromise or undermine the likelihood of the social identity promoting the level of engagement necessary to promote social change. Indeed, if the most active and most committed are ambivalent about the need to act on behalf of the cause then the cause is in trouble. The value of this thesis lies in helping to map out social psychological factors that may contribute to the social stability of disadvantage. That is, rather than explaining the lack of social change in terms of explicit or implicit ideological resistance or economic and political conspiracies, we can explain the lack of change as resting that intricate social psychological processes that have the potential to go wrong. On the upside, this thesis offers important practical implications for advocates of social change

Refugee Resettlement in Australia: What we know and need to know

The year 2011 marked the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Refugee Convention. It is thus an appropriate time to review the situation of refugees in one of the few signatory countries that accepts United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees-approved refugees, Australia. Australia takes around 14,000 refugees annually, from countries in the African, Middle Eastern, and Asian regions. The Australian Government funds a range of services to assist the settlement process, and these are recognized as among the best in the world. While these services provide assistance in the areas of employment, education and training, housing, language, health, social support, and cultural orientation, there is room for improvement to ensure social inclusion. This article provides an overview of research undertaken with this population over the last 15 years investigating some of the key barriers to social inclusion. It outlines a number of matters in need of policy improvement, and areas for further research