Non-Fiction

By Wendy Noble

There are countless jokes told at lawyers’ expense, all based on the premise that there is no such thing as a ‘good’ lawyer.  Of course, we’re not talking about competency. I don't believe ability has ever been an issue with the general public.  We’re talking about ‘goodness’.  Do you know a ‘good’ lawyer?  I believe I do.

In 2001 Elizabeth, a Christian, single and in her mid-twenties, was beginning her career in civil litigation with a reputable law firm in Adelaide.  She was saving towards her dream of travelling through Europe, the U.K. and South Africa and had intended to conclude her big trip with some self-funded work with the TEAR Fund among street kids in Durban, South Africa.

Because of her concern for marginalised people, particularly children, she took the opportunity to visit the Woomera Detention Centre, where she turned out to be the first lawyer to ever get access to the unaccompanied children. They broke down sobbing, as it was the first time they had seen anyone who wanted to help them. That day she saw about thirteen family groups and individuals, and went home exhausted and overwhelmed by the raw emotions she had experienced.  She could not sleep properly for days afterwards and struggled to reconcile what she had seen and experienced with what she believed about the value of human life, and what she believed her country stood for.  Although recognising the refugees’ need for legal help, she was so traumatised that she doubted her ability to ever go back.

In January 2002 the hunger strikes began.  Despite her apprehension, she knew lawyers would be needed and volunteered her services.  A week later she had resigned her job and was working for the asylum seekers full time.  As this is all unpaid work, she is living off her savings, as well as being supported by her parents.  It will be a long time before she gets to take her dream trip.

Elizabeth is constantly physically and emotionally exhausted.  Preparing cases for appeal, giving legal advice and making representations to the government on the detainees’ behalf is, of course, very demanding.  However, it is the continual strain of dealing with people in deep psychological and physical distress that is far more draining.  There are things she witnesses on a daily basis which would give many of us nightmares for a long time: mothers on hunger strike to get their children seen by a doctor, people self-harming to get access to information about their case, depressed children contemplating suicide. All the lawyers are displaying some signs of suffering post traumatic stress disorder: similar to the reaction one experiences when involved in a war zone. Why does she do it?

Elizabeth believes that Christians should provide whatever help they can, to whoever needs it, in Jesus’ name.  Matthew 25:35-36 says: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” She saw the situation that the asylum seekers were in and said, “I can help these people”.

As well as providing legal aid, she teaches a few children English, provides underwear for the women, listens to their stories, and sometimes simply sits and holds their hands.  As a follower of Jesus, Elizabeth is welcoming the strangers who are seeking asylum in her homeland and is doing her best to show them that they are not alone. Irrespective of the final decision by the Immigration Department, she thinks it is reasonable that these people should be treated with dignity, compassion and respect. When this Christian young woman acts as an advocate for these mostly Muslim people, she is taking the Kingdom of God to them. She is a living testimony that God sees their suffering and has not abandoned them.

Elizabeth’s boyfriend in Adelaide calls her every night while she is in Woomera and she is glad of the emotional support and stability that their relationship provides.  However, she realises how helpful her singleness is at this time in her life. It frees her to follow her calling, to travel to and from Woomera sometimes changing her plans at a minute’s notice, and to be completely available for her clients.

Whatever our political persuasion, whatever our personal opinion regarding the asylum seekers, we should all be inspired by Elizabeth’s example. Here is a young woman who is willing to put her beliefs into action in a sacrificial manner.  She would say she’s just being obedient to Christ.  I think that makes her a very good lawyer.

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