We have done this subject so many times before.
We do it again with a whole new group of one eyed people.
6.000 boat people that is the numbers.
Yes no flood but without doubt far more Australians will change their federal voting intentions because of this issue.
I think the red necks and uniformed will out number those who stay left of center over the issue.
Talk of sending them all back is as silly as a hat on a bullfrog.
I guess now both sides are poll driven fair ways of dealing with the issue are over.

Simple, strict character rules for permission to take up residency- and mental, emotional or belief flaws picked up are a ticket back to the country they claim to come from (or else a third country), to ensure we never let someone in who would be incapable of integrating into Australian society.

The need to humanely shelter someone fleeing prosecution comes to a stop if that person were a fanatical wahabi terrorist fleeing Iran (as a silly example, but makes a point).

Terrorists don't enter countries via leaky boats, after spending years in internment camps, and then officially apply for permanent residency.

They enter via plane, like almost all illegal entrants.

Houellebecq,
Why are you bemused that people are emotive about illegals arriving? Do you like being conned? Would you let the uninvited barge into your house? That is exactly what is happening here. They are deceiving us by destroying their papers and taking advantage of us being soft. They impose themselves on us and at our cost.

As for your figure of 95% of illegals arriving by air. You are either ignorant or deliberately trying to mislead.

Those that arrive by air without, or invalid, visas are sent packing back to their point of embarkation by the airline that brought them. These are the equilivant to the illegal boat people. There are very few of these, as it costs the airlines, and most are gone within 72 hours.

Belly,
You say talk of sending them back is silly. Well that is exactly what the PM, K Rudd, said he would do prior to the last election. Still thik it is a silly statement? He also said he would be tough on border protection, oh yeah!

He has simply opened the door and put out the welcome mat, by the promise of permanent residence. At least 50 have died since he assumed power. Another boat missing the other day with 100 plus on board.

You say the figure is 6000 and there was a recent figure of each illegal entrant costing us $80,000. Hey, that is only $480,000,000 which I suppose is peanuts compared to the insulation fiasco or the BER shomozzle.

Dear Banjo,

Tony Abbott is talking about bringing back
the "Pacific Solution," and temporary visas.
Do you know how much the "Pacific Solution,"
cost Australia? I haven't looked it up, but
I believe it was in the millions. Nauru was
making a fortune out of us.