The Legacy Of The Tampa Poem by Francis Duggan

John Howard will never be Australia's Prime minister again
But the legacy of the Tampa in Australia will remain
Of the Election Howard fought and won on boat refugees
The dispossessed and Stateless poor from Lands overseas.

The opposition leader at that time Kim Beazley with Howard went along
For to win the votes of redneck voters he had his chance to be strong
On the rights of displaced human beings his weakness him did cost
For not differentiating on the issue with the Government the Election he lost.

John Howard is no longer Australia's Prime Minister but bad memories of the Tampa live on
Though nothing now can change the past the past forever gone
He fought an Election on boat refugees an Election he did win
And In so doing tainted Australia's fair go image which on hindsight seems a sin.

An Election fought and won on boat refugees as history will recall
Destroyed the image of Australia as the Land of the fair go for all
The majority of Australians told us so and they proved it in their vote
That we do not welcome refugees who arrive in a boat.