Not going to bother reading the comments, it all comes down to this:
Opposition to 'boat people' (broad term) comes down to:
-Opposition to persons from fundamentaly religious, culturally-unstable and tribalistic areas of the world (Afghanistan, Somalia) for fears they will not integrate, become hostile, religious loonies (Hilali, Hizb ut Tahir), violent and/or criminally-inclined (Skaf).
-Opposition to Tamils for fear they might be Tigers

That's it- debate's over everyone, move on.

Nobody gives a toss about rickety boats, naughty people smugglers or visa-overstayers, but personal safety against those who may be on the boats.

What annoys me more than the people who make up these excuses so people don't call them racist, are the opposition who entertain this bullshize and keep the debate on its downward spiral.

STOP IT.

*'Boat people' are only an issue for the xenophobic and/or racist minority*

CJ, if your theory were correct, then those people would be making
an issue of all refugees who come here from refugee camps and
are brought in by the Australian Govt as part of the annual intake.

That not being the case, your theory is clearly flawed!

By and large I agree with StG and more so with CJ.

I would put my own take in that I have little acceptance for anyone's behavior who

a. Brings their cultural prejudices with them and tries to foster them here.
This particularly refers to the perhaps 2-3% extremists in each.
Not only Muslims but Jews, Brits, Irish, New Zealanders and South Africans.

b. those individuals that believe that subscribe to master race/ religion

c. Those Aussies who are wantonly so ignorant that try to excuse this ignorance as 'nationalism'.

d anyone who seeks to exploit any of the above for their own paronoid purposes.

My experience has shown me that terms like racism are in fact subsets of the above ignorance which begets fear which has morphed into fear xenophobic paranoia et al.

Boaz
You need to check your facts. Your assertions are assuming non existent superiority in your religious beliefs to the point you more often than not try to impose them on others even they have little basis in reality. proportion dear boy proportion.

St G
Your bit about Refugees costing us money is extremely myopic.
If the government spends money to support these people then there is the multiplier effect in that it also generates employment which in turn increased demand and so the economic wheel goes around.

I defy anyone to prove to me that asylum seekers don't *in the long run* economically generate more benefits that disadvantages...the payback maybe a little longer than Good ole homegrown Aussies. However I have seen indicative research that shows that much of our (at least) small business entrepreneurial drive comes from our diverse ethnicity.

Frankly, the whole paranoid debate is myopic dog whistling manipulation nonsense.

Oh my Exammy :) talk about an AGIR hunt.... whack whack whack... *ouch*

No mate.. you say:

Your assertions are assuming non existent superiority in your religious beliefs to the point you more often than not try to impose them on others even they have little basis in reality.

I certainly DO believe my faith fundamentals are vastly superior morally and spiritually to those of other religions.. specially any faith which actively declares it's intent and modus operandi to subjugate all others under their political umbrella.

But having said that.. it's not the 'superiority' of my faith foundations which drives me to oppose the 'boat people'...some of who would inevitably be Christians fleeing Islamic persecution. (some of that persecution comes from other boat people...Muslims.. and it's been welllll and truly documented in Government reports as we saw long ago from a couple of posters. (I did read the reports)

No..not 'my faith is superior'..but speaking as an Australian who is aware of the predominant values we live by....I simply don't like being undermined by people who may or may not have a nefarious agenda.

Have you seen any of the Anti Israel demonsstrations in Sydney or Melbourne ? hmmmmmm ? how many of those rabble are

a) Communists.
b) Migrants from Arab/Muslim countries)
c) All of the above.

The point most of you are blissfully ignoring is that 'boat people' contribute numerically to a class of population which is easily exploitable by communists, and don't think they don't know it (The communists)

CJ just blows bubbles of PC soap solution and seems oblivious of the very existence of political manipulation by highly organized and motivated groups (other than his own...but for him/them...that's ok)

Sure.. our Polies use the issue to score points.. hmm gee.. is that because it is an issue of concern to sufficient numbers of people to justify it being 'an issue' ? They sure as heck won't be sharpening an axe which will LOSE them votes..now will they?

Mikk,
You are simply playing with words and Puting spin on the situation.

The facts are that anyone entering Aus must have valid documents.

It is against the law not to do so. See the DIAC websites below.

http://www.immi.gov.au/managing-australias-borders/border-security/travel/

http://www.immi.gov.au/managing-australias-borders/border-security/illegal-entry/

http://www.immi.gov.au/managing-australias-borders/border-security/travel/documents/

I believe you will also find that the UN states that persons seeking asylum must also obey a countries laws regarding entry.

Because the 'Ilegals' are unlawfull/illegal is the reason we can detain them. We do not detain those who enter legally with valid documents.

[Deleted for flaming].