Although I must admit to a certain feeling of sympathy on these refugees present situation, we must not looose sight of the fact that their immediate situation has been brought about by their own decided actions. They have volutarily left Afghanistan of their own freewill knowing full well,after suffering the self imposed rigours of the illegal journey to Australia, that upon reaching these shores they would be subject to detention until such time as they would either be deported back to whence they came, or, be granted residence in Australia. This time in detention is unavoidably necessary to sort out the genuine refugee from the non genuine.
The words of the National Anthem were penned long before any refugee problem arose and have absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the present Australian detention system.
All/any refugee incarcerated in Australia is certainly much better off than similar refugees landing in Europe and left to their own devices, as evidenced in the very recent SBS documentary aired on national television.
Those refugees said to be suffering mental problems said to be attributed to their treatment in Australia? Perhaps comparison should be drawn with the Allied prisoners of war who suffered much worse conditions when detained in the Japanese POW camps, yet seemed to survive to become usefull members of society, notwithstanding the dreadfull horrors of their detention. A difference in mental strength perhaps?

The recent attacks on our troops by Afghans will hopefully open a few eyes among the pro-assylum seeker brigade.

The voices from the rooftops is heartbreaking. If we did not have such an idiotic policy of sending out the welcoming mat we would not of heard these voices and maybe we could still hear the voices of those who drowned after accepting the Rudd/Gillard/Brown invitation.

There are billions of voices calling out from India, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, Malaysia, Indonesia where people are suffering severley. It makes sense that the Government decide on who comes not those who have paid to come and destroy papers. The left just don't get it. I beg my children not to send their children to receive an idiotic leftist education that lacks logic. Talk about warped compassion.

There is a suggestion that the last Afghan gunman, theoretically an allay in their army, may have been set off by an order.

Yes that's right, but an order by a woman, which is an affront to male afghan pride.

Warning Kali, be careful not to order your mates around, it could be dangerous.

Meanwhile we let these clowns in here.

I wonder if there are any able-bodied Afghans living in Australia who'd be willing to go back to help fight for their country ? Obviously those still there can't be safely relied upon to learn help themselves. Instead of training them over there we could train them here then send them back to help their people. It would be at least safer training with blank bullets instead of blank minds in charge of real bullets.

I think Kali's article sets out well , a sad state of affairs in our country.As a country , we should be doing a lot better & acting more humanely.

Jack from Bicton seems to forget that a lot of the refugees didn't have a choice .Their lives are in the main in danger & the trip they embark on isn't a holiday cruise. Only desperate people would take such risks with their families.

No one disputes there should not be a proper investigation & interview process but to suggest the time taken is necessary , is not acceptable. The process can be done a lot quicker, with a bit more compassion & sensitivity. Those who don't qualify should be told a lot more quickly & sent away or back properly & sensitively.

To suggest that our behavior today should be compared to that of Europe & Japanese POW's beggars belief.Its exactly because of the way the Europeans & Japanese treated refugees including Australians that behooves us to act in a totally different way.

Mental strength. Hate to see how Jack or most of us would behave if we were in that situation.