I'd like to see figures on how many of the legal arrivals who overstay/que-jump are here to overrun our society as do many of the illegal arrivals. I still can't shake the feeling that many illegal arrivals are agenda based. Just wondering why so many muslim refugees choose to come to Australia instead of going to say, Saudi Arabia which is a muslim nation & far more wealthy. It also wouldn't involve a dangerous sea journey.

briar rose

no one is arguing that the boat people are not genuine refugees. The point is by their are hundreds of thousands of refugees worldwide. It is fairer to all for those who use come here lawfully to be given preference. I did not think you could come up with statistics on those who apply for refugee status after over staying visas. As I suspected it is another half truth from the left. By the way Amnesty really has little credibility with people interested in facts.

Dear Runner
I can only suggest that you visit one of the countries asylum seekers are fleeing and give them a good talking to about the proper way to be a refugee. That should sort them out.

I don't know whether or not you've ever experienced terror and desperation. I don't know if you've ever been homeless and in life-threatening danger. I do know that when under those kind of stresses human beings do everything they can to survive.

Yes there are hundreds of thousands of refugees in the world. I've met a few. Members of my family worked in refugee camps in Tanzania. Believe me, these places, and the war torn countries refugees are fleeing are way beyond the rule of law you seem to think they should be following. Get real. Just use your imagination. How would you feel if it was you and your family?

And whether or not you consider Amnesty to be strong on facts, their people do good work for suffering human beings.

In conclusion, if you don't know the circumstances in these countries, maybe you should zip it a bit on the judgements

Jennifer Wilson has an involvement in Human Rights.

Here on OLO that alone is enough to get you hammered by some posters!

[Deleted for abuse].

*Well, how do you explain all the advertisements in backpacker magazines for lawyers who'll advise them on making refugee claims?*

Quite simple really. The UN Convention is so full of holes, that
a good lawyer could get just about anybody in, with a bit of
coaching. The Convention needs a good overhaul.

Jennifer has her knickers in a twist over nothing here, for of
course as is highlighted in Roberts links, most of the 50'000
are simply people having a bit longer holiday.

Claiming racism is wrong too. As part of the 13'000 refugee
quote, our Govt takes people from refugee camps in Burma and
similar places. I have heard nobody complain about that, so
the racism argument is a furphy.

It's just that the Burmese don't have the cash, as do Afghans and
rich Sri Lankans, so they are stuck in refugee camps, while
the other two can purchase their Australian visa by paying people
smugglers. Now that is hardly fair and if Jennifer really cared
about human rights, she would care about those refugees who are
not cashed up