ptbi
I would suggest you dont celebrate the decisions of John Howard too soon. The majority of the Australian people do not necessarily agree with his kow-towing to West Papua's Javanese repressors.
West Papua asylum seekers will continue to seek refuge in Australia whilst ever your military rulers oppress them.
What drugs are you taking that keep you from seeing the reality of military rule in your country where the elected government does not have effective control ?

When it comes to Australian foreign policy, there is only one certainty - Canberra's kowtowing to Jakarta's interest knows no limits. Whether it's the East Timorese, the Papuans, our own citizens (eg. Schapelle, Bali Nine) and even our own military (eg. Lieutenant-Colonel Lance Collins), Jakarta will be apppeased. Of that, PTBI you will have no fear. Our diplomats, Defence analysts, ONA, DPMC, and probably ASIO and ASIS as well are controlled by the Jakarta Lobby that will always and forever sacrifice the intersts of individual Australians, Indonesians, Timorese, Papuans and even Americans to what the government in Jakarta wants. Jakarta knows it and plays it well. The joke's on you, Australia!

As someone who lived in Indonesia for nine years, the only thing I can suggest is to make friends with the ordinary Indonesians as best you can, but expect nothing from your weasel government. When Jakarta and Canberra get to conniving, just stay well clear....

Sniggid,

From what Senator Vanstone said on the 7.30 Report last night - when she wasn't being cut off by an increasingly annoyed Kery O'Brien - it seems it will be the case that people deemed to be genuine refugees will not necessarily be allowed into Austrlia under the new rules. They may be placed anywhere in the world.

Vanstone reminded us that noone had the right to arrive in any country unlawfully, nor did they have the right to pick and choose which country they wanted to settle in. Good to hear!

Australia has allowed itself to be conned by country shoppers for too long.

Thanks Leigh

Wasn't Kerry O'Brien objectionable last night. You'd think he ran the country. He pretty well heads up those in the ABC who have appointed themselves as the unofficial federal opposition.

Have a nice Easter.

Kerry OBrian is always rude,tries to have his voice heard above anyone elses.
But to say that "asylum seekers" can be placed anywhere in the world sounds easy but who in the world is going to willingly take in any more?
Most Western countries are overflowing now with troublesome migrants .
It would be better for the wealthier countries to assist third world countries to improve the conditions rather that encourage mass migration.

Papua Merdeka !

The people fleeing the human rights abuse and colonialism of Indonesia have a 'legal' right to enter this country.

For those of you who do not not know what is going on , have a look at 'Genocide in West Papua' , Centre for Reace and Conflict studies, University of Sydney.