Bruce, what has Howard’s history or your interpretation of it got to do with Gillard?

Gillard is doing her best to implement a very difficult and urgently needed policy shift on border protection and other matters. Any resemblance to Howard’s policy really is just incidental.

Gillard has done well so far. Howard did well with border protection. Rudd’s unbelievably stupid dilution of Howard’s policy is what has caused all the strife. So OF COURSE Gillard was going to go back to a policy something akin the Howard’s.

<< Wooden, self-focused and unimaginative >>

I think that you are giving Gillard far too much of a bum rap and far too early into her prime ministership. Lay off for goodness sake. Give her a fair go!

I'm surprised Julia can walk with such a huge wedgie.

After her frequent and vociferous condemnation of the pacific solution and off shore processing, she is proposing a similar solution.

She is truly a politician for the people, and will alter her views and policies on a regular basis to reflect their needs as reflected in the polls.

To get an advance copy simply read the Nielson or Newspoll ratings.

Ludwig - "Any resemblance to Howard's policy is just incidental."

Don't think so - It's called "grab the parcel" - Howard grabbed it from Hanson, and now Gillard has grabbed it from Howard. Every time another layer of wrapping is removed it exposes exactly the same contents.

Ludwig,
What Gillard said yesterday, about stopping the boats coming, was all lies and spin. The same as Rudd said prior to the last election, that he would 'turn the boats around'. Remember Rudd said nothing about his massive increase in immigration prior to the election

Gillard lied about her support for Rudd. She hides the fact that she was part of the decissions that she now rejects. Her involvement in the BER scandal, where billions have been wasted, and now disclosers that her 'deal' with the miners has cost us many times more than what she first said. It currently is spin until the election.

I do not believe the government has any intention of a Timor solution as if elected she will do a reversal and put out the welcome mat again and get back on track for a 'big Australia'.

@Ludwig:

The policy isn't urgently needed. There is not a major problem. It is being whipped up as such by the Opposition for political purposes, and now embraced by the Gillard government.

Yes there has been an increase in boat arrivals, but let's keep it in proportion shall we. The actual number of refugees arriving in this manner is miniscule compared to overall immigration. We do not have a problem, we have a dangerous political game now being played by both major parties in this country, to the detriment of both our social fabric and our standing in the international community. I believe that's the point of this article, and it is a poignant one.

When recently asked in an interview "What skills would you bring to the job [of ICC V-P as a lead-up to President]?" Howard's glib response was

"Well, every one knows what I have been doing [since deposed as PM]" - implying he has been immersed in cricket.

That supercilious answer is why he should not have the job, and sums up his prime minister-ship. Muppet-supreme.