Dear SPQR,

The animal migration series shown on television
was a fascinating documentary.
I'm sure that with your intelligence - you would
have enjoyed it very much had you watched it.

Ammonite- that is correct that intending terrorists would not even bother trying to risk the boat journey just to make an attack; however that does not mean that the people who might legitimately be fleeing, or legitimately want to live in Australia- aren't going to be without problems of their own. We've had plenty of hostile, unstable and fundamentalist people in the past- the Skafs, Hilali and Hizb ut Tahir members, along with the people harassing, threatening and assaulting people on Cronulla for the decade leading up to the riots- and looking at other Western societies, the rioters responding to the Muhamad Cartoons, and the people who had attempted to assassinate the cartoonists (and the man who murdered Theo Van Gogh) as well.

I personally feel that our obligation to assist refugees stop when they are in any way like these people, as they are only a danger to others.

So again- these should be quickly assessed first- and any sign that they may be like this would mean their assessment be in detention (and if confirmed, deported); and if they are not like this, will have their application assessed in the community.

"...Poirot's attempts to intimidate you".

If calling Kerryanne out on her self-styled status as a victim is what you're referring to SPQR, then perhaps you should take a closer look at her own antagonistic behaviour.
Every second person she debates on this forum she labels either a trouble maker and/or a rude ignorant bully.

Think it's time for a brief sojourn away from OLO for this poster - sometimes it's hard to resist reacting and getting into puerile arguments - I've got better things to do with my time.

I get no joy in saying this, but we, Australia, are spending great, huge in fact, amounts on detaining and processing boat refugees.
I would almost bet, we spend more than we give to starving Africans.
It has been said, by Poirot,that yes most of us want to stop the boats.
If this works we will, in months the only detention centers should be illegal migrants, and a few waiting flights to Malaysia.
How long will it be, honest opinions please,before cash strapped Europe does much the same.
And are we aware the latest drought and famine in Somalia third in 30 years, is not going to get the cash to stop a lot of deaths.
What next, unemployed and hungry all over Europe , even in America.
Can we help, should we share our last suppers, can the worlds population grow forever and some tell us we have to take forever endless suffering masses?
Will that one day lead to us suffering too?
Is reform change birth control of more value than endless welfare?

Dear Poirot,

Take a break by all means (I may join you).
However please come back as we need rational,
intelligent debaters like you - contributing to this
forum.

Dear Belly,

I think we're all concerned about the problem of
refugees. This is a complex issue and as I said
before - this is an ongoing problem that won't
disappear overnight. It's a pity that its been
so politicised. Fear mongering is not a worthy
campaign to partake in and achieves very little
that is constructive. But politicians use whatever
they feel will get them the top job. However, I
think they underestimate the Australian voters.

SPQR,

Yes I hear you & I dont know why but that rational lady Lexi speaks of flew for me on her very first post. That was because I think looking after our own before Africa ought to come first.
Lexi, you say you dont understand. You were there & saw it but never mind its all politics from now on. Now worries there. I am not with any. I find them shallow tbo.

However With the first boat arrival, the Malaysian solution gets its test of fire.I think we need to back our Prime Minister & give her a chance to sort the mess our Rudd left.

I have already expressed how utterly unhelpful running down Malaysia is. What would be far more helpful would be to get on a Malaysia chat line forum and make some friends and just chat. This is an expensive way to do this & its to be reviewed in a year-- Problem will be if after the elections & libs get in we will have huge ill feeling if we want to stop- ( if they dont withdraw first) we will have a mighty expensive legacy on our hands. O course by that time you will all be in here screaming to keep this policy if libs want to go back to the Howards solution- won you? Yup.

Now, if you want to help- what you could do is what I did years ago -( you say I dont care) lobby the government to allow you to find homes for single ladies& maybe one child to assist our elderly.Nice homes no waiting in detention & pick them up as they arrive. Write to Malaysian government to suggest this - because tbo ours is to slack to organize
a chook raffle imop.