SM,

I'm with you on this one. All the hand-wringing and platitudes demonstrated by Labor at the incarceration of asylum seeking children under the Howard Government - and look what they come up with when presented with the same problem.

It's hypocrisy of monumental proportions.

One thing most prosperous countries usually pride themselves on is the supposed respect for the right of a child to be protected by those adults on whom their care rests. For a government to set in train a process whereby children are shipped off like so much baggage as a means to an end defies morality.

Poirot

>> It's hypocrisy of monumental proportions. <<

Agreed.

However, what is Abbott's alternative?

Nauru.

Not really an alternative at all. Minors were still locked up, media and the public were banned from entering the Nauru compound, along with inhumane treatment of refugees by treating them as criminals.

The failure to humanely assess boat refugees by either the Libs or Labor is why I have not and cannot envision voting for either party in the near future.

Ammonite,

I wasn't defending Nauru....as you point out, political ball games such as this dehumanise refugees rendering them merely pawns in the midst of tactical maneouvres.

Dear Poirot and Ammonite,

It's the people who put the children on the boats
and pay for their transport that are the ones
risking their children's lives. This doesn't say
much for the character of the parents to exploit
their children in this way. As I understand
it - the refugees, including the children will be
taken to Malaysia and they will be placed in facilities
approved by and monitored by the Australian Government.
What is the alternative - the children could be taken
back to Indonesia and put in the care of the parents
that paid for their transport in the first place.
That might be a better solution.

I'm surprised at the Opposition who have made this a
more politicised issue without offering any solutions.
Would it be better to take the Children to Nauru and
abandon them?

I too am slowly going off politics completely.
I'm sick and tired (as I imagine a lot of people are)
of the constant condemnations and criticisms
and trying to pull each other down amongst our elected
parliamentarians. It's the biggest turn-off ever.

Lexi

Have you seen the children””? These are not children by their own laws- the are quite hard grow up tough . Most handle a fire arm as well as our army guys- better. None were young- 14 isn’t young for them. There is one young child ok.
You say the are going back alone – untrue.
They came alone - & they go back where they came from-- in a few hours flight with escorts onboard.’

They go back to what they are used to- only better because the eye of the world is on them.Or as you suggested yourself. Its certainty not as cruel as live exports yet there is silent on that by most.



You say your fair and don’t like *seeing condemnations and criticisms and trying to pull each other down **

Well where were you speaking up about the dreadful posts used by your ALP off mate .? What about him calling people grubs and other names for months? You all saw the *low act pulled on people not even in this forum to defend themselves – nope not one word.
I am of no particular party. I just speak up for if i see something unfair. Now your sick of politics since Col Rougue posted a few truths imop.

Sorry mate but favorite or not you have not been as quick to speak out about standards before. Just as your entitled to its clear your an old alp gal & good.

Now I don’t know Col Rouget guy but he pretty on the money lexi imo.

Not only - hes at least a SOH by the looks

Ok Foxy take car

Dear Kerryanne,

Sorry, I really don't know what you're on about.