Bruce,

All those coming by air are also detained, and are also returned in greater numbers.

As far as I know there aren't any being killed coming by air.

Honestly Bruce, grow up. We don't want people selecting themselves and coming here by boat or by air. We want to choose the ones who come to this country. There are plenty of refugee camps around the world from which to choose. That is it.

A clear majority of Australians are against boat people in particular. That is why the coalition has the support of the majority of voters on this issue. That doesn't make us terrible people. We'll take a set number of refugees each year, no problem. We just want to select the ones who come ourselves.

Mr. Haigh, I will give you a reason.

The so called boat people have entered into a criminal conspiracy by paying the people smugglers some $10,000, as well as destroying their travel documents, in order to circumvent the immigration laws of Australia.

Australian Immigration has developed a mindset image of the "Type" of migrant they wish to accept.
Desperate Refugees & Asylum Seekers who are fleeing violence and persecution, not having the time or means to obtain travel documents and visas, do not fit the "Type"

Bruce,
You were a former diplomat or public servant, so you are not ignorant.

The may be some reason for Maracas1 to be ignorant but not you. You know as well as anyone that those that arrive by air are sent back when their claims are not successful, which is most. The ones arriving by boat destroy their papers so we cannot send them back as we cannot verify their claims or particulars.

They got here by fraud, bribery and deceit and are conning us, that is why they do not receive compassion from most Aussies. We do not like gate crashers and con artists.

You know all this and now you are trying to con us. You discredit yourself.

maracas1 seems to have a point: if we select who comes here, then they have to have a certain 'fit'. and if they don't fit easily, we can get more selective. maybe the odd dictation test or two.

but as for people coming here by air, isn't that how most of the torturers and war criminals from Chile, Iraq and Nazilands came here in the first place? They fit in so perfectly!
Ironic in a nation born from the so-called criminal classes of Britain and Ireland.