Australian imperialism!

Post by **Vympel** » 2003-12-20 05:04am

Australia has propped up Nauru for the past two years, giving it massive amounts of aid in exchange for having its unwanted asylum-seekers housed by the former British colony. The phosphate mines that once made Nauru one of the world's wealthiest nations have been stripped bare and the island is plagued by a shortage of water and fresh vegetables, as well as chronic power problems.

Companion Cube · Post by **Companion Cube** » 2003-12-20 05:34am

You oppressive Oceanic tyrants! When will you free the peace-lobing Nauruans from beneath your dingo-bitten jackboots?

Kidding, of course. Isn't Nauru that island made from deposits of bird excrement?

Stuart Mackey · Post by **Stuart Mackey** » 2003-12-20 06:53am

*Points at PNG*

Archaic` · Post by **Archaic`** » 2003-12-20 07:51pm

How many years exactly has it been since the phosphate mines were used up anyway? While you can certainly blame a percentage of that on Australia, since we bought all that below world market price fertilizer from them back when they were a British colony, that's not exactly something you can blame the current government for, which is what this article seems to imply.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-12-20 09:10pm

No doubt Greenpeace will raise hell over the idea of evil phosphate mines being abandon to contaminate the oceans.

AdmiralTDM · Post by **AdmiralTDM** » 2003-12-20 10:16pm

I didnt know the Aussies did stuff like we did * we as in US* yay! * raises the aussies 2 levels on the nations I respect list*

Post by **weemadando** » 2004-01-02 10:26pm

To quote a friend who's from country NSW:

"There's more of Nauru in Australia than there is in Nauru."

Hethrir · Post by **Hethrir** » 2004-01-03 07:39am

I'm amazed our own tree huggers haven't kicked up a stink before this.

The Aliens · Post by **The Aliens** » 2004-01-03 11:47am

Well, it shouldn't come as a surprise when you mine something, it's going to run out. Hurrah for Australia!

Mayabird · Post by **Mayabird** » 2004-01-03 11:55am

The article link only goes to a synopsis, now. The synopsis says that Australia has "mini-imperialist ambitions." MINI-imperialist? How much sillier can it get?

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2004-01-03 12:08pm

Let's arm the natives just for some of that authentic 19th-century imperialist feel.

Xon · Post by **Xon** » 2004-01-07 07:50am

Australia has been propping up Naura for much much longer than 2 years.

Somehow that article forgot to mention the natives will use the facilities biult to house the illegal immigrants after the illegal immigrants leave for accommodation.

Heck, Australia exports the only source of fresh water to Naura! This deal the Naura government wanted.

The term 'illegal immigrants' is the technical term used by the Australian Governmanet to decribe those who have had their refuge claim denied(or being processed) and have tried to enter the country illegally.