Bonnot,
Sorry, the mispelling of your name was a typo, which I did not notice until I went looking for what you were referring to.

Where your argument falls down is that we can assess and process those asylum seekers that have a valid visa, without locking them up.

The only reason we can lock the unlawful entrants up is because they have contravened our law by arriving illegally. Yes that is the law, OUR LAW.

Again I must say that the only way to stop the boats from coming is NOT to give those, that arrive illegally, what they seek. This means no permanent residence and no family reunion, and if necessary make them wait 10 years for processing, like Africa.

Dear bonmot and Noisy,

Here's a website from Amnesty International
that further clarifies Australia's obligations
under the law to which we are a signatory:

http://www.amnesty.org.au/refugees/comments/22616/

Banjo,

>> Where your argument falls down is that we can assess and process those asylum seekers that have a valid visa, without locking them up. <<

First of all, it is not my argument – it is what the Australian Government (present and preceding) can do under Australian law.

Next: yes, we can (assess and process those asylum seekers that have a valid visa, without locking them up) – but, NOT those asylum seekers arriving by boat because;

1. Under Australian Law, the government can (and does) detain all non-citizens who arrive by boat (irregular maritime arrivals) without a valid visa.

2. They are taken to Christmas Island and placed in immigration detention.

3. See, for example;

* Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, ‘Rudd Government committed to Christmas Island detention’ (Media Release, 18 August 2009)

* Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Processing Irregular Maritime Arrivals, Fact Sheet 75

4. This includes people who arrive by boat in excised offshore places, and people who arrive by boat on the Australian mainland

5. In 2001, the Migration Act was amended to designate a number of islands as ‘excised offshore places’. See Migration Act 1958 (Cth), s 5(1) as amended

6. The vast majority of these arrivals are asylum seekers. A small number are crew members.

Look Banjo, you asked me to do my homework – I have, it’s all freely and easily accessable.
Please, do everyone the same courtesy by at least reading the Department’s relevant areas – it is not that hard, really.

If you can’t, or won’t, or have difficulty in comprehension – all I can assume is that you have added ‘confirmation bias’ to your ‘cognitive dissonance’.

As to stopping the boats http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=4733#124793

I have nothing further to add.

Dear Lexi,
Thanks for the link, very informative, and I have to agree with the essay written.
We are being deluged over in the South West of W.A., hope you are a bit dryer. Fortunately, we are on high land, and the council has recently installed more drainage.
Good Night my Friend,
NSB

What would you do about the other 99% - coz it's sod all that come by boat - that come by plane?

And finally...How many illegal immigrants arrive as disguised lawn mower parts from China?