Go Back: Smith faces African adoption roadblock

30 Aug 2012, 11:07 am   -   Source: Rhiannon Elston, SBS
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Former radio shock jock Michael Smith could stumble into the black hole of adoption policy after bonding with a young boy in a Somali refugee camp during filming for the SBS series Go Back to Where You Came From.

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Former radio shock jock Michael Smith could stumble into the black hole of overseas adoption policy after bonding with a young boy in a Somali refugee camp during filming for the SBS series Go Back to Where You Came From.

Mr Smith expressed a desire to adopt 14-year-old orphan ‘Mohammad’ after spending a day with him in a refugee camp on the Somali-Ethiopian border.

During a debriefing session with SBS Presenter Anton Enus, Michael Smith would not go into detail about potential adoption plans. “Well, it’s private,” he said.

“It’s very, very difficult to find an authority that exercises guardianship over that little bloke.”

Viewers following the show on Twitter were quick to point out that any adoption attempt would likely be impossible, because Australians no longer have a clear method of adopting children from Ethiopia.

The federal government announced plans to shut down its Ethiopian adoption program in June, devastating adoption groups.

The Ethiopian adoption program was the only such program Australia had with an African country.

Go Back to Where You Came From concludes tonight at 8.30pm on SBS ONE. You can follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #GoBackSBS

Read Michael Smith's column on The Punch about his experiencewith Go Back in Somalia and Christmas Island.

Watch Part 2 of Go Back to Where You Came From

Viewers respond to episode 2 of Go Back:

 

Go Back To Where You Came From

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Your Comments

Go Back:Michael Smith

Malissa Tweedie - from Annandale, Qld, 9 months ago

Michael Smith I applaud you out of all the celebrities you are the only one who took a stand for an orphaned child all that child wants is to WRITE can you imagine that he doesnt want to be a doctor or a lawyer he just wants to write Good luck Michael i have my fingers crossed that you find an avenue that will allow you to adopt this inspirational young boy

Throwaway comment

Jas - from Perth, 9 months ago

Smith's comment about adopting the child in episode 2 was obviously made at an emotional time and should not be repeatedly brought up by media. Rather he should be given space and time to think this through. I do not think it is in the best interest of the child to subject a traumatized teen to the generalizations and derogatory comments that smith makes about 'boat people'.

Go Back; Overseas Adoption

Jacck Smith - from NY, NY, 9 months ago

I'm sure Michael will think of a plan & get this done.

Don't go back to where you came from............

Micky D - from Brisbane, 9 months ago

I applaud Michaels comments regarding "what are you doing?" A cultural change is required within Australia, we can;t wait for others to lead, we need to set an example for the World to follow, Do these people need help, of course they do and anyone watching the programme couldn't not be moved by the desperate plight of these people. We can accept, and should accept more than we do however we must stop the boats, not because "we are full" but because potentially thousands die trying

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