The last time the Socialists wrecked border protection we were lumbered with 50,000 illegal arrivals.

Here we go again. Over a decade of successful border protection going down the gurgler. 19,000 people will get permanent residence, family reunion rights, access to welfare payments, access to Medicare, access to NDIS and a pathway to full citizenship.

Of course, we should also remember that the previous government did not send back a single one of those 19,000 illegals. They are in no position to criticise the Socialists on this matter.

Labor and LNP politicians are all incompetent, self–serving dropkicks, who cannot be relied on for anything.

Unless we voters wake up to ourselves and give somebody other than Labor, Liberal or the Greens a go, things in this country will only get worse.

ttbn.

"Unless we voters wake up to ourselves and give somebody other than Labor, Liberal or the Greens a go, things in this country will only get worse."...Last time you were backing One Nation, Palmer and the Fruit Loop Liberal Democrats, before that it was the Corny Banana show. Who now do you suggest? Your big on negativity and who we shouldn't vote for, but have little to say about who we should vote for.

paul, I've never voted One Nation, but I'd say they might get my vote.

Foxy,

Howard left Labor with no boats and 4 illegal detainees. Labor left the coalition with more than 30 000 detainees including eight thousand children and 1200 people dead.

The coalition in a few weeks stopped the boats and then set about freeing the children and the genuine refugees. Labor in one stroke has given permanent residence to 19 000 non-refugees.

I remember having a similar discussion in 2008 when Krudd killed the pacific solution and the boats started again. When I said that the refugees would come in their 1000s I was accused of dog whistling and wildly exaggerating. When the 1000s did come all the left whingers tried to say that it wasn't labor's fault and that it could not be stopped.

Once again they were all wrong.

SM,

The Coalitions policy on 'boat arrivals' had the positive effect of stopping the trade in human cargo, which was a good thing. Labor and the Greens both got it wrong in that respect. I never considered those trying to reach Australia as criminals, just people seeking a better life, and to demonise them as some people did was wrong. It was always going to be a difficult problem, and how to deal with it, and at the same time show compassion towards those unfortunate folk was a dilemma. To simply place non-criminals in limbo forever is unacceptable, the Coalition had 10 years to deal with these people but chose to do nothing, its too late now to return them from whence they came, Labor has no alternative other than to let them into the community. What do you suggest?

shadowminister,

I'm sure that you would agree that to continue to keep these
people in detention after decades have passed - is a bad idea.
Something needs to be done. Things can't go on as is.