Tension lingers ahead of Go Back premiere

28 Aug 2012, 4:30 pm   -   Source: Rhiannon Elston, SBS
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You need only look to Twitter to see the lingering friction between this year’s participants of SBS reality show Go Back to Where You Came From.

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You need only look to Twitter to see the lingering friction between this year’s participants of SBS reality show Go Back to Where You Came From.

Following on from last year’s multi-award winning show, the return series features six prominent Australians who travel to Afghanistan, Somalia and Indonesia to experience the reality of refugee life.

Given the participants - former shock jock Michael Smith, former Howard government minister Peter Reith, model and actor Imogen Bailey, musician Angry Anderson, former Commonwealth Ombudsman Allan Asher and outspoken comedy writer Catherine Deveny - conflicts of opinion are guaranteed, and explosive moments should be expected, says series producer Rick McPhee.

“When we came together in Indonesia, Imogen Bailey did confront Peter Reith over children overboard,” he said.

“They had an interesting conversation about [that]."

On Twitter this morning, Allan Asher published what appeared to be a shaded dig at Michael Smith, calling for viewers to “overcome the tyranny of shock jocks”.

Catherine Deveny was more direct, hurling a five-letter insult at Peter Reith for telling SBS News there was “no way” he would participate in Go Back again.

Speaking to SBS News today, Ms Bailey denied there was any outright hostility between the participants.

“I haven’t purposely not kept in contact with any of the others, I think that just naturally happens,” she said.

“When I catch up with Michael I’ll probably give him a hug and then punch him afterwards.”

Ms Bailey said she understood it was hard for some of the participants to change their views on the subject of asylum seekers.

“I saw them all crying, and I do actually feel that their views changed more than they said,” she said.

“But when you’re in politics or you’re in media or you believe you have a future in politics, it’s very hard to back-pedal to change your mind, because unfortunately we see that as a sign of weakness.

“I think the lesson for us as viewers, is we need to be open to politicians and people in the media changing their mind.”

Go Back to Where You Came From airs on SBS ONE tonight at 8.30pm, and continues Wednesday and Thursday.

You can join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #GoBackSBS

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Your Comments

Grow some ??

Mick - from Townsville, 8 months ago

I have no problem with genuine people seeking asylum, but put some rules in place that we will not tolerate anti-Australian behaviour and abusers of this to be deported straight back to the crap place they came from. This to include the offspring also. I do not think that all people coming are actually suited to Australia and the Australian way of life. We should not have to change to accommodate them. It was their choice to come here. Adapt or leave. The Aust Gov needs to toughen up big time.

Ms Deveny's Argument

Swee - from Perth, 9 months ago

We you cannot succeed in convincing others by the force and logic of your argument, you can always resort to name calling and abuse.

GetOverIt

Jan - from Melbourne, 9 months ago

Mandatory detention is necessary to stop the spread of disease and to allow character checks. I don't want to end up living in a third world country which is what Australia will become if checks are not in place. I have no objection to people coming into Australia through the correct channels. People smugglers are the lowest form of life. What's with so called refugees calling the Aust Navy from just off the Indonesian coast demanding to be taken to Christmas Island? We are seen as soft.

Fellow Australians

Joe - from Sydney , 9 months ago

Racism is still quite high in Australia!!!

Go Back - How Stupid

SaintMikeII - from Kiama Downs, 9 months ago

Taking those people to Kabul was stupid, but to Mogadishu that was just insane. What was your fallback when/if there was a kidnapping??

go back to where you came from

sally - from sydney, 9 months ago

well.... f....hell....Mr walsh shut up mighty quickly!!!!!

Only an egotist

John - from Sydney, 9 months ago

Interesting how it was only the left participants who felt it necessary to personally abuse participants with different opinions but they still insist they're the compassionate and tolerant ones .... but only if you agree with them. Btw, I think mandatory detention sucks and is a blight on Australia's reputation. But I still don't believe in painting everyone who disagrees with me as a racist or bigot. I'll leave that egotistical crap to the actors and models.

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