It is interesting that refugee policy and the
plight of asylum seekers continues to inflame
passions on both sides of politics, nearly
12 years after the Tampa incident.

I've just finished reading one political observer's
summation of Australia's refugee policy and it
sums things up rather well. The author tells us that:

"Australia's refugee policy is symptomatic of a
political preparedness to pander to short-term
electoral interest over tenable long-term planning,
much less humanitarian concern. With a federal election
looming and an incumbent government needing to pull a
political rabbit out of a hat, it is hard to see how
things could improve, indeed, the likelihood is that
the politicking at the expense of asylum seekers will
only get worse... our politicians' nonsensical and
frequently inhumane remarks about asylum seekers are
partly, if not largely based on what they believe
Australians want. If the brutal logic of deterrance of
"stopping the boats" wasn't a vote-winner and didn't
represent an advantage in the opinion polls, surely
the political discourse would be different."

In other words as the author points out - we are part of
the problem. Perhaps it is time we became part of the
solution.

We've been told time and time again by a variety of
experts that compared to other refugee-hosting countries
Australia receives a very small number of asylum applications
and we are in no danger of being "swamped."

We've all heard previously that we are a signatory of the
UN Refugee Convention and are in breach of Article 31, every
time we load men, women and children onto a bus at
Christmas Island and then transport them and "detain" them
for indefinite periods of time. Which countless health-care
professionals have advised that indefinite detention leads to
irreparable mental damage and ultimately in some cases, to
suicide.

Instead of playing political games - why don't we just rip
up the Convention - and let the world see us as we really
are? At least that would be honest.

I think Lynn shows what a racist nation we are with the responses here being the same tired, racist tripe we have heard over and over again.

1. we don't own the borders of the world, nor the oceans and we cannot stop one person leaving home or one person coming here by sea.
2. the cost is because we choose to jail people for years on end for no reason at all and pay foreign prison companies to do it.
3. the cost is because we choose to build prisons in remote areas rather than hostels in cities like we used to.
4. we are slaughtering human beings for no reason and gloating because people drown is repulsive.

When OLO allow such filth to be put up as fact they degrade us all.

Lexi

u should of noted one of your previously backed leaders last night saying simply that Howard was right and I was wrong. If Latham has the humility to humble himself surely Gillard/Rudd and supporters should also.

"These people are not illegal. They are entitled to come to our shores asking for help". Not strictly true - if they come to Australia via safehavens such as UN refugee camps and/or third countries (such as Indonesia or Malaysia) they are NOT entitled to come to our shores uninvited (ie without a visa) as they are not fleeing "under fire" or threat. They ARE jumping the queue - ahead of those that are still awaiting settlement from UN refugee camps.

More needs to be done to speed up the repatriation of refugees in UN camps - including to Australia. A more systematic approach is needed in getting refugees to Australia (from camps) and located in areas where they have the medical, housing, education etc support they need given their special circumstances.

This support should not come at the expense of providing these facilities to Australians - it is just a legal quirk that the homeless single mothers are not entitled to the same consideration for housing that asylum seekers are entitled to. Housing is a human right.

Lexi - So you have posted an extract from something, sorry to disillusion you but it is an opinion from someone just as there are lots of opinions here.

Misanthrope - Just so people understand your view I will re post your comments to someone from a previous thread. Quote

"Marilyn Shepherd, you say you're sick of all this condemnation of these hapless boat refugees, so am I. We should double our aid to them, in an effort to make sure there journey across to us, is safer. Therefore it would encourage many more of them to come, and inspire them to exercise a greater degree of safety when they make this very dangerous crossing to Australia. There should be many more patrol boats to meet them and ensure safe passage for them all.

Marilyn, as you well know this is a very large, and deserted country in most parts. So we could well accommodate many millions more of the boat refugees. Another way, would be to levy a $Dollar a day, on every persons wages, purely to aid these very desperate refugees, for a period of initially 5 years. And review it each year, and if necessary, increase it to $2 or $3 per day even more if required.

I'd say most true Australians wouldn't mind in the least, to put there hand in there pocket to help these very desperate people. I believe most Labour voters would agree to this measure."

WRONG, Economic invaders are one of the main reasons Labor will be decimated at the next election. Most Australians don't want them, genuine refugees yes - Economic invaders NO