All this is a direct result of feelgood politics, encouraged by
our emotionally engulfed, like the greens and others.

We raise peoples expectations, spend a couple of billion $
a year, they risk their lives and blame us when things go wrong.

For the umpteenth time, the 1951 Convention is 60 years out of date.
Its encouraging anyone who wants a better life, to have a go and
sail here.

The Convention needs updating and changing. Australia needs to take
all its refugees from refugee camps. Or we will continue to have
the debacle that we face now.

None of our politicians seemingly have the testicles to make the
changes that are required, so we waddle on, hearts on our sleeves,
from debacle to disaster.

I told you so. I'll tell you so again, when we have the next
disaster. It won't be long.

Shadow Minister:

I appreciate what you're saying - "We need to stop the boats." But could you be specific and tell us exactly how you suggest that we do that? Do we order the navy to force them back to Indonesia? Or do we send their human cargoes off to island prisons for indefinite detention?

Yep. Well said Yabby.

How do you stop the boats?

By treating all refugees equally. Now if I were a refugee seeking asylum and someone said to me, "Hey, how about engaging the services of some criminals and taking a life threatening voyage to Christmas Island?"

I would respond with the question "Will this increase my chance of gaining asylum?".

Under the current policy the reply would be "Yes, it will greatly enhance your chance of gaining asylum.".

If all refugees were treated equally the response would be "No, it will give you no advantage over other refugees waiting for asylum.".

Why would I risk my life and engage the services of criminals if it gave me no advantage?

*By treating all refugees equally.*

Well there is your snag Fester. According to the UN 1951
Convention, its first come- first served.

So we abide by the convention, creating the expectation.
Not only for genuine asylum seekers, but for anyone who
thinks they might be able to jump through the hoops,
as their friend did too.

Even the UN concedes that now our system is clogged up
with people who have been rejected, but still won't go
home. Every one rejected involves hundreds of thousands
of costs. Nobody says boo.

So the system needs fixing once and for all. We are free
to change the terms by which we abide by the Convention.
We should change those terms, despite the outcry from
the hearts on sleeves brigade. For they have no better
suggestion to offer.

Yabby:

OK. Let's here your solution to the problem - and be specific!