Poirot I'm curious, you seem to be making this a convenient issue that when a country from "the west" attacks a country in the middle east, is that every western country is therefore beholden to any middle eastern country's refugees?
What if Australia was neutral in Iraq and Afghanistan?
In fact, what about all of the people fleeing countries that we actually AREN'T participating in at all (Somalia, Libya, Egypt, Lebannon, Iran, Pakistan)?

Again- it's all irrelevant- we should simply screen all arrivals who come here, and any that fail to show willingness to embrace a comparatively secular and collectivist/cooperative society (compared to most of these countries that is), or have any substantial character problems making them UN-integratable; those that don't have any of these problems should have their refugee status assessed in the community, and those that ARE, simply disqualified and don't get into the country at all.

The fact that millions of people CAN and HAVE fled to neighboring countries only proves that a journey here isn't actually necessary to be safe.
Anyway, I personally don't support the USA, but I'm not going to let that blinker me into supporting whoever happens to be attacked by them either.

*How dare a minority aspire to move in the direction of those that brought disintegration to their country.*

Of course they may dare, Poirot. I agree with you, overthrowing
Saddam and the boys was full of mistakes, when a single, well targeted
drone could have achieve similar obejctives, without all the collateral damage.

OTOH, I doubt if Iraqis would want Saddam and his boys back, if
given a choice.

But the real question goes much much further, to one of empathy and
justice. The reality is that Australia cannot save the world or
all its refugees. So we've decided to take 14'000 a year. Why
those 14000 should be decided by a boat race and money, rather then
a fairer way of selecting those lucky 14'000, is of course the
big question.

If empathy is your claim, then what about empathy for Burmese women
and children left behind in refugee camps, who don't have a brass
razoo and who now will lose their chance to live in Australia, as young Iraqi males with aspirations and money are given priority?

Is this just heart on your sleeve stuff, where all reason is thrown out
the window?

For in my opinion, its hardly wisdom.

Ozbit says:
<< It is, alas, much easier to foment prejudice than it is to dispel it>>

I have to agree, except, if *prejudice* is "an opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the fact or A preconceived preference or idea". Then Ozbit must exhibit one of the worst forms of prejudice.

1) He serves up the five minute noodle version of cooked up excuses telling us that <<if ["asylum seekers"]are captured holding identity documents before they escape, they set their relatives and neighbours at risk. Indeed, the possession of identity documents adds to the risk of leaving their country>>

Yet we are seeing that many now have in their possession mobile phones with preset numbers to Australian search and rescue services and relatives who are already in OZ -- what could be more incriminating!

2) And, to OZbit any talk of ID papers is mere "fuss". I do hope he is true to his principles and tells that to the next immigration counter he faces on his next overseas trip (maybe he'll tell us before hand so we can all go and watch how he gets on --and have a good laugh)

3) Then, OZbit does the now mandatory Howard *bit*.

Yes, indeed, prejudice is a curse!

Immigration has been advantageous (so far) for our country and as long as the Government of the day is in control, a planned programme is the ideal.
Realistically speaking, the plot has been lost and we now have chaos.
All of it is undeniably of this Goverment's making.
No point arguing the merits of on or off shore processing etc. etc..until the Govt.recovers it's senses and redresses its policy failure.
Border Protection is what this should be all about.Nobody but nobody arriving in this country is entitled to any latitude if they come here illigitimately and outside of the annual immigration programme.
Like it or not assylum seekers arriving by boats are opportunists. Do not muddy the waters about them fleeing persecution. These folk have bought their way here. Consider them against genuine refugees who are penniless and forced to scratch around in the dust for a few grains of corn.
No this is no victory for commonsense.This is a disaster for an inept Govt.