Isn't it amazing - Abbott has suddenly become more concerned about the human rights of asylum seekers than about turning them around! Would it be cynical of me to think this might be more about putting the boot into Gillard and advancing his own political ambition than anything else?

Perish the thought, landrights4all.

Tony's altruism is coming from exactly the same place as Julia's new found concern of the risks to boat people on the high seas. Deliberately seeking to send asylum seekers to countries that aren't signatories to the Human Rights Convention somewhat tarnishes her "altruistic" purpose. Tony's idea of relegating our unwanted flotsam to a downtrodden pock-marked island previously fleeced of its mineral wealth by the West is much more humane (in his opinion).

"Offshore Processing" - now there's a term to warm the cockles of your heart. Dehumanising asylum-seekers is only the first part of the equation, and all the rest follows in unison.

Altruism is a ploy used by pollies to further their political imperatives.

"Altruism is a ploy used by pollies to further their political imperatives."

Absolutely, it just seems some are less altruistic than others.

Poirot, we shared a lovely evening meal last night with a small group of neighbours - one couple an Aussie with a Malaysian spouse, of long and renown standing. Let there be no doubt - the 'unspoken' insinuations, inferrences and dog-whistling exercised by Australia's alternative government are not going down too well in Malaysia right now.

Forgive me if I appear rude, it is not by intention.
Forgive me if my words annoy, for that I do not care.
We talk in terms of two party preferred.
We do so because currently, in the end it comes down to that.
The winner of that race wins government.
Once in government its task?
To first as much as possible serve us all, that is not possible ever.
Both sides tend to please most those they owe or need support from to stay in office.
On some issues, enough will/do change their vote on single issues.
This is such a case.
John Winston Howard, on this issue alone, would still be Prime Minister, without Work Choices.
Here, as unfortunate as I find it is the truth.
Labor- left- is split beyond repair on this single issue.
Tony Abbott did this, by taking a natural fear more have than do not.
And riding it like a race horse.
Today he rides it in to the house,with Bob Brown on it too.
Once unthinkable!
The non conservatives must understand, this is much more ,it signals the begging of our end as we exist today.
We left of center must fight now each other, because of this and few other reasons.
12% solidly vote green first preference.
Many more, from all classes including rednecks to thinkers even proud helping class, people who contribute to good causes,stand firmly with, both party's intentions to stop the boats.
Next boat that sinks killing many, if we learn about it.
First boat Abbott has towed to Indonesia
I will remember today place those deaths at seat Abbott's door and the very left, nothing can stop more coming more costs more anger more time in opposition for Labor

Wow! Bl00dy amazing what the lefties can claim.

If Abbott was pushing the Malaysia solution, you lot of twerps would be all over him, screaming dirty foul inhuman yob.

Now it appears suddenly to be the only way of saving this fool Gillard, it's all right to be inhuman to boat people, because it's in your best interests.

Who the hell got us into this mess? I suppose you will claim Abbott, because he got more votes than miss stupid.

Who the hell wasn't prepared to change policy for the last year?

Who the hell is your coalition partner, who is telling you to go jump? His name is Brown, in case you forgot. If you get into bed with someone, you should expect their support, not the opositions.

Come on you cynical dropkicks, fair go.

I agree with Malaysia, & you lot have been kicking me for it for some time, [apart from Belly]. How about you go take a bex, & have a good lie down, then come back with some clarity of thinking.

Hasbeen,

Notwithstanding that Julia's your newest pin-up pollie - and no doubt the whole "let's-send-'em-somewhere-as-long-as-it's-not-here" model has you quite excited....but I've been more critical of Julia of late than Tony....did you miss that?