"LABOR is facing a significant budget blowout on immigration expenses due to a surge in boat arrivals this financial year.

The government allocated $327.5 million for offshore asylum-seeker management over 2010-11 based on an estimated 2000 irregular maritime arrivals.

Since July 1, however, 45 boats carrying 2229 passengers have arrived, with no additional operational budget provisions outlined in the mid-year economic and fiscal outlook. Since January 1, 118 boats have brought in 5654 asylum-seekers."

So with the numbers of asylum seekers tripling, we are looking at spending nearly $1000 000 000 per year on this issue. That is about $100 p.a. for every working adult that is paid for Labor's failed policy.

Regarding Julia Gillard's policies and Labor's Coalition with the Greens the process of government is rather delicate in the view that
both the Greens and Independents have a right and expect to be heard. Therefore anticipating instant miracles from a government in a delicate situation would not be expedient.

Let us give due time and patience and the opportunity for the Gillard government to work its way through the restraints of a Coalition and in due course (usually at least two full terms in office) to achieve their election promises.

The Howard government was given eleven years by the people of Australia to fulfill its promises and finally gave up when no more miracles were evident.

Lexi,

How is the promise of No carbon tax this term going? Is Labor struggling to implement it or are they simply doing the opposite?

We know what the government is currently doing - regarding carbon emissions - and we are waiting for the outcome of the conclusions to be reached by all participating interested parties in the discussion.

However we do not know what the Liberal Party proposes as an alternative, perhaps you can enlighten us?

'I am glad to see that the government are showing a little compassion to these people.'
Posted by nairbe, Friday, 5 November 2010 6:36:01 AM

The compassion we show to those refugees who buck the system is at the expense of those refugees who do not or cannot due to lack of funds.

This compassion for those who buck the system also feeds into the illegal immigrant trading market.

My compassion goes out to those thousands of souls who are doing the right thing by waiting in humanitarian camps across the globe as their claim is processed. I wish them well and a speedy resolution so that their life can begin again in a nation not war torn or environmentally ravaged.

If only we could work more quickly to resolve these issues. Maybe then the illegal trade of leaky boats to desperate souls with zero tolerance of humanitarian camps would be less tolerated and afforded less sympathy.

I also think we need to reduce the amount of immigrants we take in and increase the amount of refugees by that number of immigrants reduced.

Lexi,

Actually the coalition have been perfectly clear what they intend to do.

1- No carbon tax until at least the major economies have established a system,
2- Invest in energy conservation measures, and subsidize low GHG emission technologies.

This is based on the assumption that whatever Australia does on its own has almost zero effect without the major players involved, and any carbon tax will disadvantage Australian industry and increase the cost of living.