It seems like labour has pulled off a major coup with this Malaysian agreement.

What all those who have criicised labour on this issue are forgetting is that the vast majority of the general public want offshore processing, and an end to the queue jumping. Labour simply could not afford to ignore the public sentiment on this issue. It had the potential to deliver Tony Abbot the next election on a platter.

It will be interesting to hear how they pulled it off, but on the surface, this looks like a masterstroke.

It has the potential to satisfy the concerns of those who resent the "wealthy" "queue jumpers" and their violent protests, relegating those who come here illegally to the back of the queue, and removing the unique advantage that those who have enough to get here enjoy by merely arriving on Australian soil. It may also satisfy the more progressives, who should appreciate that we will significantly increase our refugee intake, and allowing the selection of refugees on a 'most deserviing' basis.

The solution that has been proposed today is along the line of what I have been pushing for the last twelve months. I suggested that Indonesia as a possible country. The problem with my suggestion is that Indonesiais not a signature to the UN Commission on Refugees.

I see this as a way of creating the queue that many claim already exists and the mechanism of returning or moving people on.

It allows for an orderly movement of refugees and ensures that getting on a boat putsyou back on theend of the queue. There will be issues raised, one Malaysia's past treatment of refugees. I am sure this can be managed if the UN Refugee commision oversees the process.

It also allows the refugees already in Malaysia to move onto a permanent home.

I hope some similar process can be worked out with Indonesia.

This process should prove much more humane, cheaper and be a long term solution.

For me the possibility of an Abbott government is a nightmare.
Have no doubt however my party my government has not won anything in this deal.
Only a REAL SOLUTION, will do.
First we have agreed to take, read understand,4.000 refugees currently in Malaysia.
Over the next FOUR YEARS.
In return, that country has agreed, over an unknown period, not stated.
To take 800, not more.
Arriving boat people.
What is not said, is those 800.
Are to be processed ,AND MAY be sent for settlement.
Even here.
Great deal Julia.
My fellow ALP followers, do we want good working policy? do we want our team elected because it can deliver better.
I do, believe me this is rubbish, not policy.
Next question, can any side win an election if it is servant only to fear it must stop its voters leaking to a party such as the greens?
If the ALP is to degrade its self in fear of such radicalism it will die.
Follow the voters Julia not the lost.
those 80%% who destroy a humans most important document, proof of ID,SHOULD never be granted refugee STATUS EVER.

Malaysia is not a signatory to the UNHCR convention, and the conditions they are likely to find are far worse than could be expected at Manus Island or Nauru.

But 800 refugees total. That should see us through the next 4 months, and then what?

This is at best a stop gap, but has potential if it can be extended to include all refugees.

Shadow Minister,

You took the trouble to point out that Malaysia is not a signatory to the UNHCR convention, and then made comment on probable worse conditions for refugees....but then you go on to say that the new arrangement has "potential" if it can be extended to all refugees....interesting viewpoint.

As for Julia, she's fast approaching the Howard benchmark for hocus pocus and smoke and mirrors.
She said, ".....this solution has been born of a regional process motivated by the region's desire to tackle this regional challenge."
What a load of pollie-speak mumbo jumbo....

PM Gillard's new policy is nearer that of Mr. Fraser than Mr.Howard. I cannot imagine many getting on a boat that leads them going to the end of a queue in another country.

I believe we take about ten theousand a year now. The thousand a year will not be a large part of that number.

I cannot see why the overseeing of this country and the UN Refugee Commission cannot ensure the wellbeing of these.

The policy of the last few years has been expensive, cruel and wasteful.