'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.'

Thanks Leigh. That would be so funny of the idiotic left did not make our country look so stupid. I wonder how the genuine refugees feel having been pushed further back in the queue.

I feel sad.

Australia's fair go seems to be a myth.

"Fair Go" sure does not apply for boat people and asylum seekers. And don't tell me that immigration laws apply the same way for all!
I had it easy coming from Europe having the skills to fill the shortage. But being citizen now I can't feel proud of the actual governments policy.

I had hoped that the disgraceful policies of John, Philip and Amanda would be a thing of the past, but I was wrong. If Labor moves now into the same direction as an answer to Tony's immigration fear campaign it only proves that too many Australian's support racist tendencies.

Not only is the asylum process very slow here, the visa application process is discriminating people based on origin and race as well. No problems for Europeans, North Americans though, but if you are by chance Asian you are collectively punished with a much tougher process even existing laws officially apply for all the same way. I still hear Amanda stating that the boat people should go the official way - forget it - the official way is blocked!

DIMIA is even lying to block simple visitors visa for Asians. I have it in writing - black on white - confirmed by Fran Bailey's lawyer.

No wonder that Australia's reputation in regards of human rights is dented worldwide.

Liberals or Labor? The two party system is busted.
Liberals adore neo-conservatism, following Tony into the dark ages.
Labor fears that the Liberals win too many votes, if they do not give in to cooperates and participate in the asylum fear campaign.
Guess what - next time I'll vote for the greens.

Australia's fair go
doesn't exist!

ChrisH

<< …don't pedal this crap about this being an "URGENT" issue that we simply MUST address immediately lest our nation face great peril. >>

Grayzie, who has said that our nation faced great peril if the asylum-seeker issue wasn’t quickly dealt with? The issue needed urgent attention, but not to that extent.

The processing facilities were just about chockers, the boats were coming more frequently than ever, there was every sign that the rate of arrivals would only increase unless something decisive was done, the whole business was incurring a huge monetary cost and causing a whole lot of concern across Australian society, inasmuch as any political issue can amongst our generally very apathetic populace. The matter WAS urgently in need of attention and remains so!

Yes an election looms. The Libs certainly had a strong lead in the polls regarding this particular issue. Gillard would have been highly remiss to not have addressed this imbalance and quickly. There’s nothing cynical about that. It is just plain commonsense!

Next, she should do the other things that I suggested and that you agree with, regarding visa overstayers, boosting our formal refugee intake and increasing our international aid.

But she’s not likely to, largely because there is just about no push in the electorate for her to do so, not even from the most vehement onshore asylum seeker supporters, so it seems!

The simple facts are firstly the voters in the recent NSW state bye-election turned in a 25% swing against Labor and a large part of that protest was identified as a concern among voters about the increasing numbers of illegal immigrants. It isn't anything Abbott or the Liberals stirred up. It is the electorate doing the stirring. Secondly the Liberals will stop the boats, for that's their record and people will vote accordingly, for that's their record too.

Look at the way the media has manipulated to not mention the boats over the past year yet the electorate has still monotered the upsurge and is clearly angry at Labor's deceipt.
Fact the electorate won't listen to spin on this issue and that's Labor's problem.

Bruce what figue will you put on the number of illegal boat arrivals before you say enough is enough? And what policies would you implement to regulate that number?

You are right about one thing when you say 'it is about what sort of Australia we want to live in' but I think you are out of step with what Australians will decide about that... at the next election.

"The processing facilities were just about chockers, the boats were coming more frequently than ever, there was every sign that the rate of arrivals would only increase unless something decisive was done..."

Ludwig, again we need to keep some perspective about this. "Increase" does not necessarily mean problem. If I have one mouse in my roof, and then I have two, that is not an epidemic, despite being a 100 per cent increase. Of course the Pacific Solution decreased dramatically the number of boats that arrived - it was a cruel policy designed to do exactly that. And yes, removing it saw a rise in the numbers of arrivals. Again, that doesn't make it a problem. It is being turned into such for political purposes.

The numbers of asylum seekers arriving by boat is still very low, both in relation to our overall immigration intake (below 4 per cent) and in comparison to the rest of the world. They are also overwhelmingly found to be legitimate refugees. Let's try and keep in mind the reason why we have a refugee intake at all.

>>But she’s not likely to, largely because there is just about no push in the electorate for her to do so...

Of course there is, it's just not as emotive a political weapon as playing to underlying xenophobia and fear. Australia's racial undercurrents are deeply entrenched and it's an easy - if morally reprehensible - target for politicians. Howard shows us that. Now both parties are using it as an election strategy.

Leigh,

"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."

As ususal Andrew Bolt deliberately creates mischief...he lifted the idea from an article by Sally Pryor.

The person in question has returned 3 times since 2001 NOT 3 times a year AND he did not go on holidays as Bolt implies. He has returned each time to see his family who are in great peril..I would think he should be admired for his bravery not vilified by OLO contributors stirred to a frenzy by hacks such as Bolt.

I bet Leigh you stand up at the footie and proudly beat your chest at the National Anthem taking great pride in what a wonderful Australian you are and all that implies...never has "Poor Fella My Country" been more true!