Dear Fiona,unfortunately my flawed intellect is shared by many in Australia.Rainer and yourself have your own pet agenders that of freeing anyone who comes to this country illegally.I just observed that there are billions of potential refugees.Surely someone who is suffering hunger is also a refugee or do they have to have some political agenda and be educated in a certain way before they become palitable to our tastes?Surely escaping hunger has a higher priority than escaping an oppressor?

I merely observed that our small country does not have the capacity to cure the world's ills, since it has been the soft option mentality that has given rise to free medicine and better food technology without reciprocal responsibility in curbing population increases.The more we give the more the problem worsens.It is time poor countries took some responsibility.

People should come to this country on our terms.Yes,we can be more compassionate but they should not be released into the community until their status is resolved.

You just don't like cold hard logic that is good for the survival of our country.Good intentions and a warm heart will not put bread on your table or a roof over your head.The veneer of civilisation is very thin and it takes the an enormous effort of many good people to keep this social and economic prosperity.

I'm seeing the beginnings of social disintergretion in this country,and the Australian culture need to take stock of what is happening and where they want to go.Not where minority groups with their experimental social engineering think we should be.

Dystopia is banging on the door of your Utopia, Arjay. Can hear 'em battering down your door as I type this! They all want in! They'll be wanting to take advantage of our great unfair dismissal laws (if they get a job) and our fantastic Centrelink system. (if they don't) Nirvana on a kebab or bamboo stick! And then will have the audacity to force us to mulitculturalise and eat their food! In an ethnic restaurant coming to your suburb! And charge us for the priviledge! And run for council! Who know's just what they will do when they're running amok in the suburbs. I can feel a Leonard Cohen song coming on.

I applaud Petro Georgios Bill. I do hope that it passes. If it does, I (and I dare not speak for anyone else in this forum) will not feel embaressed when our Government criticizes other countries' abuse of human rights nor feel ashamed at being tarred with the brush of imhumanity. I believe that our Nation needs to retrieve its standing in the world as a human rights defender and not be constrained by having to defend the indefensible, ie, the indefinite detention (for whatever reason) of a human accused (let alone convicted) of no crime. I believe the Bill provdes a fair balance between the due and proper assessment of asylum seekers and legitimate border control. I also believe, that any new law, which lacks the guidance and will to implement same from the top down - may be doomed to fail. Mr Georgio may also need to address the manner in which DIMIA and the companies which operate detention centres, manage claims and applicants from start to finish. A DIMIA officer would not act the way he or she does, which includes deporting and incarcerting Australians, without being given, either by implication or direction, a free hand to so act. Humanity as well as inhumanity comes from the top down - I believe that this Bill and Mr Georgio's long awaited stance, will be the start of a positive step back to humanity for this country.

Di,don't hold back.Just call me a filthy racist scum.That is the intent of your innuendo.It is not as simple as "come one come all."

All humans are selective about who they invite into their houses,and it isn't all about race.We have friends who are Indian,Brazilian,Lebanese,Italian ,Greek ,Chinese etc.We are all prejudiced in some respect since we tend to mix with those of similar socio-economic backgrounds.Is this socio/moneyism?Can we formulate a new law to eradicate this divisive practice?

I'm talking about the rate of change that is causing unrest.That needs to be addressed.In Sydney for example we are seeing too much ethnic based violence from some people who came here to escape war,yet are bringing their problems with them.The street violence in Sydney is out of control.Serious assault is a daily occurence and the media don't even bother reporting it

I can hear it now Di:

"First we take Marrickville
Then we take Bellevue Hill..."

I hate to be a party pooper, but could we lay off the personal stuff and start arguing about the bill again? Can we agree that not everyone on Petro's side is all for open borders, and that not everyone who opposes Petro's bill is racist?

Here's the latest news [ http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15616774-2,00.html ] Victorian Liberal Sophie Panopoulos called Petro and Co "political terrorists", which has gotten a few people up in arms. Meanwhile [ http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200506/s1391635.htm ], the rebel Libs are dissatisfied with how talks with the PM are going and will push ahead with the planned private member's bill.