6. 'We Will Decide'

In Episode 6 of Australia Fair, host Janak Rogers tackles the tumultuous evolution of Australia’s refugee policies, tracing their origins back to the 2001 Tampa affair and the events of 9/11. This episode captures the heated protests at Woomera Detention Centre during Easter 2002, when activists clashed with authorities, and examines how these moments of crisis catalysed harsh new immigration policies under Prime Minister John Howard. As the show navigates the fallout from these events, including the notorious "children overboard" scandal, it explores the ongoing impacts on asylum seekers and the political landscape. Featuring voices from prominent figures like Behrouz Boochani, who spent years detained on Manus Island, and refugees still struggling with limbo under current policies, this episode offers a close look at the legacy of Australia’s immigration policies and the deep-seated issues surrounding them.