13 June 2010

Indian lawn bowlers refused entry by the the majestic equality of Australian immigration law

The Indian lawn bowls team has been refused entry to Australia based on an assessment that they did not have sufficient finances or "incentive to return to India". See article.

An Australian immigration official in New Delhi, apparently with a straight face, is reported to have said: "People from all countries have the same right and opportunity to enter our country".

The French writer Anatole France said it better: "The majestic equality of the law, which punishes rich and poor alike for sleeping under bridges, begging in the streets and stealing bread".