Dr Eva Sallis in her article in The New York Times,
17 Dec. 2005 points out that:

"Newcomers, especially those who form linguistic
or ethnically distinct groups, always have a hard
time in Australia at first... But Australia is a
country that has been created by many streams of
immigrants and has come out the better for it..."

So, why the fear of 'Boat People?'

Again, Dr Sallis explains that,

"Our leaders have given tacit approval and support
for this fear through policy, whether this is
policy on refugees, security or Indigenous affairs.
The policy of mandatory detention of asylum
seekers was strongly linked with border protection from
2001, and, as most asylum seekers of recent years have
been from the Middle East and Muslim South Asia,
"border protection" has become protection from Muslim
refugees in the popular imagination..."

Just like the US, Australia has anti-terrorism
legislation, first passed in 2002 and significantly
strengthened since. These laws have also helped to
validate broader community mistrust of Arabs and
Muslims.

As Dr Sallis states:

"Our governments have done little to substantively
allay any fears of Muslim and Middle Eastern people
generally or to increase public understanding and
appreciation of their culture and possible contribution
to Australian life. Arabic is the fourth most commonly
used language after English in Australia, and the
most commonly used language after English in New South
Wales, Sydney's home state, yet it is taught in only
a handful of schools and universities..."

The point that Dr Sallis is trying to make is that if
"contemporary Australians are to live at ease with
themselves, they need more education, less fear
mongering, and greater honesty about the culture of
racism that is so damaging..."

I suspect that Leigh and many others are pining for times long past - the days of the little white picket fence around the rose-covered cottage, back when men were men and women and blacks knew their place in society.

It is an emotional subject, one that seems to blind extremes of both sides to reality.
And self appointed experts truly think only their side has merit, such as master.
That finger pointing stupidity, saying airport refugees look like us? come master think about that.
And to all who claim racism is behind the concerns again nothing but goose feathers.
Numbers, sustainability, are we threatened or benefited by boat people?
Is todays multi Culturism in any way like the refugee intake post ww2?
Do I have reason to ask why yesterdays migrants helped make us the country we are and settled well respected and no problem.
Every time some one expresses a fear about some people from some groups do we have to see them called racist.
Is fear of some, from some religions wrong?
Are we, yes we who are left of centre happy with the way some cultures treat women?
Is it ok to have double standards because we are not conservatives?
Yes a big subject big problem for the whole world, just a thought, please think about it, if we got in those boats, say to leave an Australia governed by Turnbull, would we be welcome in these country's?
Would our feelings of pain and wanting to help be returned?
Are our freedoms being used against us some times?

Belly wrote " and self appointed experts truly think only their side has merit, such as master".

Oh Belly, Belly, Belly. Maybe you should actually "read" my posts in full. I have pointed out that the complaints from most people who complain about people illegally in this country - - - - are about BOAT PEOPLE * *ONLY * *.

If anything it's YOU who have taken "sides". YOU have chosen to ignore the hundreds of thousands of illegal entrants in favour of the vilification of boat people - - - now THAT'S taking sides.

Now, both you and I know (even though you won't admit it) that it's MUCH easier for an entrant into Australia to plan an illegal entry via an AIRPORT (you just falsely claim the reasons for you being here, and back it up with the required evidence - - - - all pre arranged and nicely packaged), you make sure you look ordinary and inconspicuous; and once in, you "blend" into society (if your long term goal is a lengthy illegal stay).

Now, both you and I also know this is NOT NOT NOT the case with boat people. They're EXTREMELY conspicuous and need rather specialised assistance (owing to their traumatic pasts) to enable eventual full integration into society. The genuine refugees among them who have in the past been granted asylum have shown they MAKE FANTASTIC CITIZENS of this country.

It's the illegal "smarties", who are NOT refugees, who are NOT impoverished and who are NOT desperate, who gain illegal entry into this country via AIRPORTS that are the REAL PROBLEM. You only need to ask any State or Federal Police Officer who has had to deal the crime and social dislocation they often cause.

So to all you people here taking "SIDES", that is ---- ignoring the hundreds of thousands of illegal people in this country **BUT** denigrating "just" the boat people, you need to open your eyes and admit to REALITY.

Master:”It's the illegal "smarties", who are NOT refugees, who are NOT impoverished and who are NOT desperate, who gain illegal entry into this country via AIRPORTS that are the REAL PROBLEM. You only need to ask any State or Federal Police Officer who has had to deal the crime and social dislocation they often cause.”

Hey that’s me!

Anyone round here work in that building in Sydney that makes you a citizen? Do I have to sit the test… if I take an iphone and ask on line the day of the test will you help me?

What does permanency mean in centrelink speak? Why am I not understanding this?

http://www.citizenship.gov.au/applying/application-process/other/eligibility.htm

Are you saying you are here "illegally" or are you saying you are here but have just not yet become a citizen? There's a difference you know.