Words & Music:  Alistair Hulett

This song, written in 1996 in response to the Australian Labor Party's policy of mandatory detention for asylum seekers, is probably the oldest on the subject. When a number of refugees were manacled hand and foot and forcibly repatriated to suffer abuse in their home countries Alistair observed that "this state-sanctioned racism encourages fascist groups to attack ethnic communities... fudging on the part of Social Democrats strengthens fascists all around the world."

It was originally published on Alistair's album Saturday Johnny and Jimmy The Rat.

Our earlier recording of this song appeared - in very good company - on a benefit album called Behind The Wire compiled by our musical director Miguel Heatwole. For more details please click the contact flag!