They have coined a phrase for it : "the Push Factor"

I don't know what the Australian Government is doing to engage the Sri Lankan Government to stop pushing, but if their citizens are arriving in Australia causing a financial burden on Australian taxpayers, creating problems with housing and employment, I reckon it is appropriate to invoice the Sri Lankan Government with the total cost until they stop pushing.

The alternative is to grant permanent protection visa residence on Christmas Island until the UNHCR has processed them and found countries who are willing to take a quota or assist those wishing to return home when the time is right and no persecution occurs.

Andrew says: “Banjo is … wrong in calling asylum seekers "illegals", but he knows that. Presumably he just keeps doing it to create a false perception that asylum seekers are doing something that is against the law”
Naughty, naughty Banjo –repeating things until they become accepted is the sole prerogative of the refugee advocates -- Andrew has made it his speciality.

Examinator says : “The idea that they are all or majority are simply fortune seekers is defying reason and human nature. Most would stay 'HOME' if it was a reasonable option”
Let’s try a little experiment shall we, go to any of the poorer (& even many of the not so poor) suburbs in any of the third world countries and with a megaphone announce:
“free visas to Aussie land “ or “free US green cards”.
Then stand weeeell back .
To use a Bronwynian expression “get real man!”

Horus

Perhaps you should re read what I said particularly the part where I said if it was a viable option.
Your scientific methodology is fatally flawed too.
Stand at opposing ends of the street and offer at one end free visas and at the other end a reasonable life here at home, then measure the result.

as examinator puts it "there is no substitute for objectivity and context, man!"

On line opinion and Graham Young as acting editor has done a wonderful job in handling this debate. With his judicious selection of articles he has marginalised pretty well all the critics of John Howard and the Pacific Solution and the TPV's. That effectively excluded their whinging having any sort of relevance in this very necessary public debate.

It also becomes glaringly obvious failure by the critics to reject Rudds Indonesian solution, or indeed by one notable, to embrace that abomination, marginalises by placing them in a position that is blatantly less humane than John Howard's.

Then loo and behold Graham publishes a positive article supporting the Pacific solution that attracts much obrium. It's followed relatively quickly by a very well written article advocating an in-offensive off-shore island solution. It's attractive because it counters the likely Indonesian inhumanity and totally lacks the obrium associated with the Pacific Solution. It is less humane than Howard's Pacific solution but more humane than Rudd's Indonesian Solution but hardly noticable because of the incessant 'chatter' of the political critics.

It is wonderful someone in the media is independent, rejects the government's political spin, edits with moral purpose and leads the community to a discussion of solutions in a reasonable manner. It's what the traditional media once had the capacity to undertake

well done Graham

Just like to say that my wife spent quite a few years in an indonesian refugee camp and told me that although conditions were not great, nobody complained and they patiently waited until they were given a place in Australia. People were just happy to escape where they had come from. She does not believe these current group of refugees nor the spin of their advocates. Be very very suspicious, once let in they will slowly destroy Australia. Be very very suspicious and question, question, question.

I totally agree with you Ozzie, and your wife. I don't believe the spin either and am very suspicious. No way should people who are engaging in attempt blackmail be allowed in to this country, not even to Christmas Island, much less granted residency. Their actions show what type of people they are, IMO. If they are willing to do this at present, as you say, what would they do if they are allowed to come here. I am totally backing Rudd in this and hope he sticks by his guns and does not allow those people in. The media has a lot to answer for in their attempt to stifle questioning and draw in what I call the GIN's (Gullible, Ignorant and Naive). Good to see your post and to hear your wife's view.