Day 11

She’s missed the whole point of the story

“In a move sure to create division among Australians, the Immigration Department has today confirmed that it intends to move a group of 86 asylum seekers, mostly Sri Lankans and Afghans, from the detention centre on Christmas Island to a former mining camp in Leonora, north-east of Kalgoorlie.  A Department spokesman also confirmed that officials are searching for other sites across Australia to house refugees, as more and more boats approach our shores.  Leonora Shire President, Dalton Gibbs confirmed today Immigration officials had been in talks with people from the tiny mining town for over a week now and said that most people in the town would welcome the new arrivals.  Our Six News reporter, Cameron Jones is in Leonora awaiting the arrival of the asylum seekers and spoke to locals today.”

Tiffany turns to camera two.

“Cameron, what can you tell us about the mood of the locals as they wait for these illegal immigrants to arrive?”

Vision switches to the reporter, obviously recorded earlier in the day, standing in full sunlight, cyclone fence behind him blurred as the camera focuses on the prefabricated buildings of the ex-mining camp in the distance.

“Well, Tiffany, I spoke to a group of locals today, including a member of the local volunteer ambulance service, who had this to say.”

Vision cuts again, this time to a woman standing in front of what looks to be a shop, probably on the town’s main street.  She’s flanked by a small group of locals and is wearing a green polo shirt, her blond hair sits just on its collar.  Over her left breast you can just make out the ambos logo.

“What a fucking mess this story is!” Tiffany thinks as she watches it unravel on her monitor.  “Whoever did the continuity on this one won’t be working at Six for long.  Hope Bob doesn’t make them walk home from Leonora!”  Tiffany is smiling as she thinks this, as the camera switches back to her in close up.

Of course, she’s missed the punchline.  She should be frowning as the reporter throws back to her with words about community unrest and division among the townsfolk who think it’s unfair that these refugees get free housing and food and health services while they have to work for a crust.  And she can’t save herself by throwing back to the reporter with a follow up question, because her ‘interview’ with him was never live.

For a moment, just a microsecond, Tiffany’s stuck with that smile on her face when she should be looking stern, concerned; anything but the dopey cow she must look right now.

It’s only the shortest amount of time, almost immeasurable, but she’s noticed it, and she knows that Bob will have too.  She’s missed the whole point of the story; that all these reffos aren’t good for us Aussies, aren’t good for the nation.