The land mine analogy is silly. It seems a majority of Australians understand that under Labor/Greens the nation's sovereignty was severely compromised. Mr Maxwell would do well to reflect on the consequences over both the long term and short term of a massive influx of persons who are not refugees but simply people who want a better life and are essentially economic immigrants. History shows that such migrations have usually led to major political disruptions in the host nations and much pain for the population. Add in that the migrations occurring at present are driven by the inability of Islamic nations to get their houses in order, the anti-democratic essence of Islam, and the fact that new immigrants seem determined to bring all their baggage, cultural and religious, with them, it is not hard to understand the apprehension shared by most Australians.

Pericles bemoans self-righteousness --- then proceeds to deposit the biggest heap of self-righteous twaddle we've seen since the big dung scene in Jurassic Park http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOtTWSpCa_c

It ain't about accepting refugees, Oz accepts a good number of refugees each year without fail. It is about whether those would self-select should get preference.

Clearly Pericles thinks those who bribe, bully and barge their ways to our shores should be rewarded.

To use the landmine analogy, Abbott has stopped people getting hurt by the land mines, and there is no further need for land mine treatment.

Secondly, What a stupid analogy.

Well done, bogan xenophobes decrying Jack's common sense human caring, compassion, and respect for worse-off fellow beings.
Your'e all part of a mob, the 60 percent who responded obediently to John Howard's dog whistle when he decreed "we will decide..."!
There is also the matter mentioned by Jack of "the greater social good".
Good for whom?
So how do you react in your little white picket-fenced paradises if a person whom you consider to be of a lesser "class' than yourself moves in next door?
Tow them back to where they just came from ?

Certainly the religion style or many "refugee" men is disruptive and hence likely to course concern here in Australia - keeps security services busy and growing though...

Sri Lankan Tamils?

Concerning Hindu Tamils from Sri Lanka there is little reason they need to travel all the way to Australia - unless as economic refugees...This is because there are many millions of Hindu Tamils in nearby India who welcome Sri Lankan Tamils and of course don't discriminate against them.

Ponder,

It is ironic that for someone who places a lot of worth on compassion and respect, you seem to have little regard for your fellow posters. A good quarter of you post consisted of putdowns:
<<bogan xenophobes>>
<<all part of a mob...who responded obediently to John Howard's dog whistle>>
<<your little white picket-fenced paradises>>

Could it be that your real motives are a good deal less noble than you'd have us believe ---go away and have a ponder on it.