Any immigration policy that is dictated by the government (no matter which party) is politically-motivated and bound to be clumsy, ineffective, cruel, absurd and costly to the tax-payer.

Instead, immigration should be privatized: any Australian citizen and charitable organization who believes in helping either asylum seekers in general or specific asylum seekers, should show it by opening their pockets and sponsoring them. People who actually need to pay, apply common-sense rather than formal procedures and political-correctness, and therefore know best which are genuine and deserving refugees and which are not.

A quote from the Liberal Democratic Party policy-website: http://ldp.org.au/policies/1156-immigration

Unauthorized arrivals and refugees

It is important that Australia provide a sanctuary for people who are fleeing political oppression and persecution, both on compassionate grounds and to demonstrate to the rest of the world the attractions of a free and democratic society. Such people can also become fierce advocates of freedom in Australia, having experienced its loss.

It is necessary to do preliminary health and security checks on all people coming to Australia. Unfortunately, it is not possible to do these checks on unauthorized arrivals before they come to Australia. It is therefore necessary to detain unauthorized arrivals temporarily until basic health and security checks can be completed.

Following these checks the unauthorized arrival can then apply for PR either by paying the immigration fee, applying for an “immigration scholarship” or “immigration loan” or by applying for humanitarian consideration. The process of determining genuine refugee status will be limited to a tribunal of first instance and a single court of appeal. Both will be open to the public.

While awaiting a decision on humanitarian grounds, unauthorized arrivals can apply for temporary release, with bail conditions. Any individual or organization can offer to post a bail equal to the immigration fee. If the unauthorized arrival is denied entry on humanitarian grounds and they refuse to leave the country, then the bail money will be used to pay the immigration fee.

Quote: It is important that Australia provide a sanctuary for people who are fleeing political oppression and persecution, both on compassionate grounds and to demonstrate to the rest of the world the attractions of a free and democratic society. Such people can also become fierce advocates of freedom in Australia, having experienced its loss.

There are refugees and there are refugees. And what makes you think that all refugees support freedom and democracy? Many who come bring their own values, cultural and religious, that are contrary to Australian values. They come only for financial gain and welfare. They will not integrate nor respect the host population.

In case you haven't figured it out, I am talking about Muslims. Most of their problems are caused by their culture and religion, which they bring with them as so-called 'refugees'. Any country that accepts large numbers of Muslim immigrants is asking, begging for trouble. You would think, anyway, that they would be happier in Malaysia or Indonesia where Islamic values dominate, not among those vile, evil infidels.

Unfortunately, Australia must considered its own bests interests and say 'no' to all those who come uninvited. People take advantage of the West's humanitarian values and use them to destroy society in the name of misplaced 'compassion'. Yes, good people will suffer but it will be worse if we ignore the consequences of bad decisions.

PS: Australia is alone on this. To think that other Asia Pacific Region countries will cooperate and help, except for short term gain, is silly.

Dear Kactuz,

"And what makes you think that all refugees support freedom and democracy?"

I certainly don't think so! and that's the beauty of the LDP's policy: if Australians do not believe that Muslims (since that's the example you gave) are genuine and deserving refugees, then they will simply not sponsor them! The government cannot make such politically-incorrect decisions, but individual Australians can. If you do decide to sponsor a Muslim, paying some 6-figure sum to allow him/her in, then you would surely have done your homework and are convinced that they and their circumstances are indeed exceptional.

Further, if you read down the same link (Liberal Democratic Party policies), you will see that immigrants (permanent-residents) will not be entitled to welfare for at least 10 years, so that takes out those who come for welfare.

P.S. Why complain about refugees not supporting freedom and democracy while the Australian government doesn't support those either!?

I think a return to John Howards Pacific solution is the most effective solution. It worked last time and they stopped coming almost overnight.
Kevin Rudd stupidly demolished the offshore detention and opened the gates to these people again. It has also opened up another problem with the growth in appeal and legal action by the burgeoning immigration legal industry.

It is not legal to shove away people without due process. End of story.

Get a grip some of you racist cowards and ask "what if it was me".