In principle, I cannot agree with the principles behind this article. Firstly, it is very humanist in its focus and takes a very anthropocentric view, in terms of world living. The article also I believe wishes to 'select Australia' (in terms of border removal) in an underlying way, but does not wish to admit that.

Many people (in poorer or war torn countries) have serious rights to be concerned about their future. I have no idea what it is like for these people, in terms of day to day living, as I have not (and never will), live in a country of very low standards.

As a very (financially) well of country (and I will no doubt be attacked for that), I believe Australia has an obligation to assist people to live in their own home country, as much as possible. Australia cannot take in every person from elsewhere.

People should not feel pressured to leave their own homes, through communities of violence, poor living conditions or terrorism. This very much occurs when overseas communities are not assisted (through the United Nations) or when the foreign aid budget is cut or not raised substantially by a government.

Also Australia's policies re accepting other people from other countries are appalling. For example in a radio interview people can hear how some countries (in this case Australia) "steal" qualified employees from poorer countries, which have been trained at that countries expense.

The interview also takes into consideration environmental impacts (in terms of Australia) which is vital for earth as a whole and its future.

https://radioadelaidebreakfast.wordpress.com/2011/05/20/government-population-policy-interview-with-sandra-kanck/

Also using points like "an aging population" as a reason for accepting more people into Australia (which I am not totally against by the way, like refugees, asylum seekers and some business migration when needed) but the ageing element is petty, and does not add seriously to this discussion.

http://www.redlandcitybulletin.com.au/story/1921461/exploding-the-myth-that-a-ageing-population-is-bad-news/

All countries need to have environment as a number one high priority, and not put it at the bottom of the shopping list.

NathanJ,
Agree wholeheartedly that the Environment must take top priority.
No Environment No us.
Pretty simple really.
Human plagues are fleeing world troublespots because of conditions being caused by, or exacerbated by, overpopulation.
The world population cannot sustain a growth rate of 83 million a year.
It matters not if the birth rate stays level or even falls as the nett result is even MORE people and will be for a looooong time
yet.
While ever a rate of greater than replacement is maintained the problem exists.
Pretty simple really.

RHrosty has hit the nail on the head. It is a problem created by a few self-survivalist power hungry groups of people, but non the less it has been created and now has to be uncreated. To do this would mean we would have to live in a world where money does not exits and I am all for this. There is a model by ZeitGeist that shows how this can be done and it is so simple, but does require us to loose the ideology of necessity of money. Exclusion from crossing borders is ridiculous and people in need should be helped and assisted. People do not flee their lands if life is good and of course we should help them. All things should be for free, that is a free would, but rules/guidelines need to be established for order and peace. It is my understanding that is the reasoning behind religions and now it's about who's is right and who's is wrong, also ridiculous, with the underlying issue of money.
People can talk until they are blue in the face about it, but until real action is taken and the global consciousness changes and understands that money is not real and the people who are in positions of power and wealth; who can do something about this; stand up for a world without money, history will continue to repeat itself over and over. If everyone started to promote a world without money and started working towards the Zeitgeist model, the world would heal quickly. The health system is a money making industry and is why we have an ageing population in a sick world, but non the less in a healthy world people would live longer also, so I agree the ageing population is a non-issue and a diversion from the real issue as to why their are so many people migrating all over the world; its really all about money and power;take that out of the equation and we equall peace and stability

Hi Eillidh,

Your dream is already partly achieved - there are now millions of people in and from Syria who have almost no money. As well, there are perhaps hundreds of millions of people in India and across Africa who also are free of such a burden. And you're right also, that those without money also luckily have absolutely no power.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could go to where they are and tell them of their good fortune.

As for migration, you could also advise them that, in a perfect world, they could all migrate to Australia but never be paid for any work they may do here.

That should gain some response.

Joe

Four pages and not one word about the real pull factor, Centrelink! In the case of Australia and other names in other countries. These "Refugees" land in Greece and Italy but their welfare is not gold standard so off they go to Germany, Scandinavia and the UK. Same here in Aus they want our welfare to wring every dollar from us and complain interminably about how bad we are!
Tony Abbott should be Australian of the Year for his actions stopping the boats. We should also enforce TPV so if they arrive and then want to fly back "Home" they can, but cannot return. Then ensure no job or contribution means no citizenship.

Hi Loudmouth
Im sure the starving and dying people already know the evils of money and how it should be, for it is the oppressed and poor who dream up the dreams of a better world, but for now the people you speak of just need to focus on their immediate survival. I encourage you to watch ZeitGeist and know that what I dream up is achievable. I have been financially poor where I did not eat anything other than broccoli leaves and flowers with a bit of damper for just over two weeks; that was when I was at my lowest over a period of three years of not much to eat; I ended up very unwell over that time. My ancestors had to flee Ireland due to war and famine, so I am able to imagine what it is like, only I starved for a short time and without the guns and bombs. Is that the kind of response you are looking for.