Thank you, Divergence. Great post.

I particularly liked this gem:
“ a lot of the pressure for immigration here is coming from countries that are in the Malthusian trap or have very recently left it. In such a country, any improvements to carrying capacity are simply translated into more babies until the customary level of misery is restored”

Every MP should be made to write it one hundred times, each day, before parliament opens.

Now, if I can just get you around to seeing that much of the noise around AGW is being generated by the same cast and crew that brought us "open borders". And much of the damage arising from the developed worlds overpopulation/bad governance is being repackage as "climate damage" in pursuit of the same ends -- you'll be truly on the ball.

PS: It's hard to take Yuyutsu’s comment seriously. After all, he seems well and truly appreciative of the importance of borders when it comes to the middle east --see here
1) “My only concern is that my family in Israel are safe and well. For that, Israel must be able to defend itself both externally …and internally” [Yuyutsu, Thursday, 21 July 2011 1:47:01]
2) “Forget about the Palestinian morons and their absurd demands. A UN vote against* them, recognizing a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders will do 3 good things…: [by Yuyutsu, Thursday, 7 July 2011 12:14:30 PM]

Correction: "developed worlds" --should read DEVELOPING worlds

Banjo it is you not me who needs to get fair dinkum.
Yes Rudd did the wrong thing, it was demanded of him.
If you mustered the wrong sheep would you muster the right ones or sit bleating.
We need an answer for this problem, not yesterdays.
Abbott swears Malaysia will not work.
He could, if he is so sure pass Labors bill, ensuring Nehru is able to be used.
Then blame Labor for its failure.
Truth is Doctor NO fears it will.
You support a man who has no intention of being honest.

Belly you are letting your bias's show a little too strongly.

Both Gillard and Abbott are playing politics on this one. Gillard was unwilling to consider Naru primarily as far as I can see because it is Abbott's preferred option. I have little doubt that Abbott's motivations were equally on the politics and not on the needs of Australia or that of those fleeing a crisis at home.

Don't much like either option but am a strong fan of the idea of temporary protection visa's. Ideally we'd shelter people until the situation at home settles then help them get home unless they've shown us some good reasons why having them stay here is in everyone's interest during their stay.

Locking up people who we will probably later allow to stay seems to be the worst kind of nonsense, get them really annoyed with Australia then let them stay here.

I'd like to see the bulk of refugee's returned home if and when the crisis in their homeland settles, returned home with some skill's which might help their homeland improve.

R0bert

The trouble with your idea of temporary visas, is they will not show when their visa expires, like thousands of others at the moment. Employers are all to willing to pay peanuts and keep illegals as workers. How do you suggest that can be fixed.

579 that is a problem, the same problem that we have with those who arrive by plane then don't leave when we expect them to (a far greater number from what I've read).

No perfect answers, strong penalties when people are caught (including deportation if relevant and possible for those sheltering people who cheat the system).

It's never going to be a perfect system, like it of not we are a desirable destination for many, the only way we seem to be able to change that is to behave in a manner that few of us would be proud of regardless of how necessary people may consider it. From what I've read most who make it here via the boat's qualify for residency after processing so just being harder on arrivals sits badly.

We need to find a way that makes Australia less interesting as a long term destination for those who don't really want to be part of this country but which allows us to treat those who are suffering with compassion and decency. It's a tough balance which I don't think any of the major's (including the green's) are trying to achieve at the moment.

It's well past time for a major rethink on what we are doing, TPV's may not be the answer but I've yet to see any other options that look better.

R0bert