At some point, Australia will have to become part of the rest of the world. Right now, we are looking extremely selfish, not to mention rednecked and bumbling.

While last week's issue of The Economist describes a country that has been unbelievably lucky in its geography and its history, we are quibbling pathetically about the tiny number of sad souls who try to get here to start a new life away from oppression and poverty.

http://www.economist.com/node/18744197?story_id=18744197

"Many Australians do not seem to appreciate that they live in an unusually successful country. Accustomed to unbroken economic expansion—many are too young to remember recession—they are inclined to complain about house prices, 5% unemployment or the problems that a high exchange rate causes manufacturing and several other industries. Some Australians talk big but actually think small, and politicians may be the worst offenders... Its current political leaders, with notable exceptions, are perhaps the least impressive feature of today’s Australia."

It is a useful exercise occasionally to take a look at ourselves from the outside, looking in. Because being rich and lucky is one thing. Being dog-in-the-manger whingers is entirely another.

"O wad some Pow'r the giftie gie us
To see oursels as others see us!
It wad frae mony a blunder free us,
An' foolish notion:
What airs in dress an' gait wad lea'e us,
An' ev'n devotion!"

Robert Burns: "Ode to a louse"

Belly,

This is a situation entirely of Labor's making. Hypocrisy especially of this breathtaking magnitude. This Malaysian solution is far worse than the Pacific solution and goes beyond anything that Howard contemplated.

Labor's troubles could have been largely solved by re opening Nauru, and re issuing TPVs. Instead they come up with this abomination and not surprisingly, the coalition is kicking them around the field.

After a decade of claiming that there were no pull factors, only push factors, they are attempting a solution similar to the pacific solution, and once again ballsing it up.

With the additional "aid" we need to give Malaysia, the costs we need to cover, and the 4000 additional refugees we need to resettle, this is looking per capita wise the most expensive exercise ever. The estimates are as high as $1bn or over $1m per asylum seeker sent to Malaysia.

The kicker this morning is that an early draft excludes any reference to human rights. Another ALP policy gem.

Lexi,

The Malaysian solution trumps anything the Libs put in place. The criticism is valid, especially since Juliar spent nearly a decade shrilly harping on the inhumanity of the pacific solution.

Now they will send unaccompanied children to a country that refuses to guarantee their human rights.

SM,

I question your making political capital out of Australia's refugee programs. I am concerned about the way both parties are using the issue of refugee policies. As Liberal Party MP Judi Moylan (and others) have stated:

"I rise today to call on Government and the Opposition to stop political tactics, end the escalating hysterical rhetoric over who can produce the toughest refugee policies and for men and women of conscience in this place to call for the end of the politicisation of asylum policy."

Of course Labor's policy is not the answer - yet how quickly you've forgotten the chaos in detention centres - the realisation that the so called Pacific Solution was the ultimate in policy on the run, or the many riots, fires, hunger-strikes and self-harm incidents that happened in many detention centres during the Howard era. Neither government has a track record for handling the situation well. Neither has the right to feel smug about the issue.

It's sad that in the weird world of Australian asylum seeker policy treating people decently and humanely according to international law is seen by many as "putting the white flag up."

cont'd ...

BTW: For your information SM. - Last night on Lateline Tony Jones interviewed the Minister of Immigration on the issues that have been raised in the media and was clearly told that what has been leaked to date to the media are draft proposals by both the Australian Government and the Malaysian Government - and no final agreement has been reached or signed.

When and if that agreement is finalised the Minister said that he will willingly appear on Lateline and explain all the conditions of the agreement. To any-one's knowledge no-one is being sent anywhere at present until an agreement has been reached and signed.

So propagating hysteria and condemnation may be pre-mature.

OUG ignored!
Now may I introduce a stranger to the thread?
TRUTH.
It is more than unlikely any children will be sent to Australia after this is signed is it not?
And it should be clear that the reason is the threat of? Malaya.
Do we all know children are being sent here now, by parents who hope at a later date they will bring them.
What prey tell Pelican is the alternative.
A conservative government would use the off shore card they are saying that now, but would they use this system if boats continued to come, YES.
Social activists are taking sides with the worst of conservatives, to help the chance the only party of change is tossed out.
Who thinks to look, please do ,12 months back when this opposition Minster for this matter shouting his discust right now.
SEE his advice this system should be developed with IRAN!
Foolish people dreaming dreams of green growth are poisoning the government and helping conservatives.
This scheme was always about stopping the boats Abbot did not want that TO happen, until he gained power.
Divide and conquer Abbott the man who bought about a royal commission against workers in the building industry/ helped bring work choices in.
Now calls for left groups to get involved in what amounts to a stolen briefing note not final report from FOXs equal the greens ABC.