Dear bonmot,

No matter what anyone says or how they try to twist
things according to their own agenda - the Migration
Act and the law remains the same. Australia has
signed up to this law and is obligated in keeping it.
The law is the law - whether anyone likes
it or not. The Migration Act is what it is.
People can Google more than one site to get the full
details. The details don't change. Asylum seekers
are not illegal. People are entitled to seek asylum
in this country according to the Migration Act.

Anyway, I appreciate the fact that you're arguing from
an intelligent point of view, not an emotional, immature
one.

Bonnet,
You, and lexi, fail to answer the question. How can we lock up (detain) people if they have not committed an offence under our law?

The lawyers that prosecuted the Malaysian solution downfall would love to hear from you both. They could have all the 'illegals' released immediately. Maybe those lawyers are slow to comprehend the law.

It is the 'illegals' advocates that are falsely spinning the yarn that they are not breaking any law. The object being to portray these deceitfull con artists in a more favourable light.

We simply do not incarcerate innocent people. They are law breakers.

Both Governments, Labor and Liberal, lock these shonks up.

Lexi,
Your point depends on two things;
Is Christmas Island a designated "Port of Entry" ?
Do asylum seekers need a visa to arrive legally ?

If either of these items are true then they are illegal.

Banjo,

That's easy. Until such time as they are determined to be genuine refugees, they are "unlawful non citizens".

Asylum seekers do not have to have a Visa, under international law, those seeking asylum in this country have the right to be processed, if they, the asylum seekers, fail the processing then they are sent back from whence they came.
It is not for us to judge or justify these peoples' arrival, nor is it for us to say 'send them back'. Try walking in their shoes for a while. I am neither for nor against the arrivals, they are humans just like us.
It should not become an overdose of politics to deal with them, a little more humanity would go a long way, after all, we are all descended from boat people in this country, if it was good enough for us to qualify for entry, then if the asylum seekers are valid, then why shouldn't they. Too many people condemn that which they don't understand or don't want to understand.
NSB

“Bonnet, you, and lexi, fail to answer the question. How can we lock up (detain) people if they have not committed an offence under our law?”

I'll let your churlish and childlike slur on my OLO tag pass.

Australia can detain asylum seekers because that is what Australia can do under the law - since it was enacted.

They are detained so as to assess and process their application for refugee status.

As has been said: the law is the law and the Act is the Act – neither you nor your fellow travellers can alter that fact – despite all your efforts to the contrary.

I don't necessarily agree with the processes, but the law is the law.

.

NSB

Well said!