We can only wait to see if Gillard does what she says, but at the moment she is at least listening to the electrorate; something that Rudd never did.

Whatever either Gillard or Rudd does, it must be in the best interests of Australia - nothing else.

For once I agree with Shadow Minister. Even more than her predecessor, Gillard is entirely poll-driven. Her government's only objective at this time is to get re-elected, and they'll abandon any semblance of principle to do it.

I agree even more with Grayzie - any "urgency" with respect to finding a "solution" to boat arrivals is confected, and both the Government and Opposition are to be condemned for playing to the lowest common denominator of the electorate.

As I've said before, I really hope this ill-conceived stunt backfires on the Gillard government.

Dear Bruce,

Thank You for giving us another perspective
to a complex topic.

I'm not going to make any judgements at this
stage, as I believe it's still too early.
I'm going to wait and see what develops.
All I can do is hope that out of all this
decency will prevail.

Have a look at Andrew Bolt's blog today.

An Afghan who was accepted as a refugee, and now has Australian citizenship, RETURNS TO AFGHANISTAN ON HOLIDAYS AND TO VISIT HIS FAMILY 3 TIMES A YEAR.

"" they recycle John Howards Pacific Solution."

Well, it is better to have such a solution closer to the last-port-of-call-before-Australia than Nauru. It would be interesting to know how prospective-asylum-seekers get to Indonesia, though.

yes, I think you're right Bruce - but they all take us for fools, not just Rudd and Gillard.

Trouble is, so many of us really are fools - even political commentators who've been round the block a few times fell for the Red Queen's rhetoric.

And even Andrew Bolt thought she was warm and direct!!

Though I understand he's got over it since she outlined the East Timor solution, mostly because he's miffed that she's plagiarised it from Howard.

Which just goes to prove that Gillard's particular brand of velveteen spin is even more insidious than her predecessor's.

I don't know where all this is taking us, but it can't be good.

Off with their heads!