Thank you Clifton for a perceptive insight on this deeply troubling issue. I can only imagine the responses your article is likely to elicit in OLI once the usual "defend our borders" mob get going.

What can we really expect from a nation that drifts in a moral and ethical void, unsure of our national values. Fear seems a reasonable response in the absence of a mature and confident cultural identity and clearly articulated norms that underpin respect and honesty and decency.

This national malaise would not be possible without a media that is intent on reasserting its power as the kingmaker, having been displaced for a (short) while by the new government's mandate. Now the media have turned national policy discourse into a circus of personalities and constructed crises, killing hope for real change and returning to the cynicism and disgust of a previous era.

Lowest Common denominator politics

Xenophobia - the accusation trotted out by every bleeding heart head in the sand do-gooder (?) every time they disagree with any plan to limit the access of ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS to Australia.

No NOT REFUGEES! These people have gone through several other nations before reaching us. They have paid their fares to the smugglers and who knows who else and arrived here through illicit means. Their mode of entry creates a number of risks - security, health, quarantine and without papers to prove identity cost millions of taxpayer dollars to "process" while we feed and shelter them. Money that could be so much better used for the good of Australians and legitimate immigrants - including those deemed refugees through proper channels.

If that makes me a Xenophobe then I'm in good company with most of the rest of voting Australia. Bring on the next election!!

no mention from Dr Clifton of the number of illegals who have drowned since Mr Rudd sent out his invitations to come here. As usual the left claim they have the compassionate answers and what works is wrong. Sickening really.

Yes those evil, White Supremacists from the SS have been regularly gathering on beaches, to mark where you mere mortals are allowed to swim, with burning crosses, while they danced around in white sheets, bashing, burning & burying Black fellas, Asians, raping women, etc.

Is there no end to their depravity? When will the Guvmint protect us from the lifesavers?

Many people on the right of politics revere Menzies as our best PM, but he had one fatal flaw, made one dreadful mistake, that we are paying the price for now.

He took a Liberal view of his political opponents. As long as he was winning elections, he did not care that the ALP was being infiltrated by Communist, Anarchist, Socialist, Radicals who follow, "the Frankfurt school".

These "Fifth Columnist's" have been active in all strategic areas of our nation, since the 1960's, politics, academia, education, bureaucrookracy, journalism. White anting our nation from within.

What we need after 2010, NEVER AGAIN is for ASIO to hunt these treasonous thugs down. No Australian child will be safe until these Communists & Fauxmanistas are in "Baxter" "Rehabilitation Resource" for the good of our nation's security.

Formersnag, please let us all share with you your version of "australian values".