Ginx, I think you are confusing the figures for asylum seekers, with
those of refugees.

Yes, European countries such as Italy, Spain, Greece, England
and the rest, are facing huge problems. The boat trip from Africa
is not far and plenty want a better life, so they take their chances.

The social problems from all this, are also enormous.

200 might have arrived by boat in Australia, the balance would have
been taken from refugee camps, as I understand Australia accepts
around 10'000 a year.

Increase the boat arrivals, less come from refugee camps.

That is hardly fair to those who don't try to push their way in,
by whatever means they can afford.

"Ginx, I think you are confusing the figures for asylum seekers, with
those of refugees...........

...............That is hardly fair to those who don't try to push their way in,
by whatever means they can afford.

Posted by Yabby, Sunday, 26 April 2009 2:30:18 PM"

First point: you could be correct, Yabby. I came into the conversation late.

However, I will never change my view that Australia is NOT being overrun by refugees, boat or otherwise. We have a lamentable record in terms of our intake. And one other thing; it curdles my blood that many of you would prefer the policies of the Howard regime that were vile and inhuman, AND diminished Australia's standing on the global stage considerably.

Liberal OR Conservative (because that IS where we are now. Spare me the bullhits of a current 'Socialist' Government),...I pray we NEVER again see a Howardist type regime.

Second point: 'pushing their way in' is surely the operating system for many developed countries including Australia, who go into countries to 'liberate' them, and cause nothing but chaos and death,-and profiteering by many..

I'm not surprised that people are 'on the run'. Their countries are being decimated by this 'liberation', OR by greed, and corruption, practised by despots that the developed world wantonly ignores. No attempt at liberation there? I wonder why?

There is a third point: I don't have the fortitude any longer to argue such points ad nauseum.
I will hold my view; you will hold yours.

I have no intention of repeating myself.

Ginx, in a way you make my point for me, as all the kerfuffle
with asylum seekers from the boat trade exists, because various
Govts have applied double standards when it comes to the
UN 1951 convention.

They do so for good reasons. The convention is out of date,
full of holes and open to misuse.

That is why I made my point. To finally fix this, we need to
change the convention, bring it up to date, so that we live by what
we believe and agree to. But no Govt has the testicles to tackle
it, so they each plod on and push the problem into the next Govt's
court. This present mob will be no different. So the saga will
continue.