R0bert,

"I can't think of any animals on our shores who could break into a locked home or camper and pose a credible threat to human residents, a single human is more than capable of that."

From the spirit of what I just wrote you can deduce that IF indeed such a credible threat exists, then you may do whatever you need to do to eliminate it.

I suspect, however, that those animal-humans would be more afraid of you than you of them, that being more intelligent than other animals they would have a clear understanding that if they break in or do similar things, they will be hunted down. Also, that they did not come to the Australian continent in order to live near you (or else they would come and ask to be your pets), but would rather live away as possible from civilization.

Pelican, we cannot afford to discriminate between those who may be
genuine and those who are cheats.
We simply have to put up the drawbridge.
Forget about using mining revenue, that is on borrowed time.

When you come to the point where you have to reduce food production
where else is there to go ?
Sure we are rich enough (at present) to outbid poorer people for their food.
But should we when we can cut our numbers back and feed ourselves ?
It is simple enough, not enough water to feed ourselves so we MUST
get rid of some of those already here.

Yuyutsu given how many have come from active conflict area's and my lack of interest in living in a setting out of a Mad Max film I'd not be overly confident that they'd be the ones with something to fear.

I suspect that the bulk of rural Australian's would be somewhat appalled at the idea that they might need to start fortifying their homes, vehicles etc because the city folk had decided that they should share their environment with groups of desperate people who were being treated as animals. They'd also need to work out how to protect livestock, outbuildings, equipment etc from roaming bands of people with little to loose by taking whatever was unguarded.

I'm not quite picturing small communes of peaceful refugee's finding a way to live off the land in area's that no-one else uses and with no unwanted interaction with the rest of the population (and hopefully no negative environmental impact on desert eco-systems).

R0bert

Pelican,
You say. 'I am all for discouraging boat arrivals but there is too much furore over boat arrivals as 'illegals'. Seeking asylum or refuge is not illegal. It is visa overstayers who arrive by plane that are illegal.

If an applicant is not a genuine refugee they won't be approved.'

Seeking asylum is not illegal, but to enter Australia without a valid visa is definately illegal. The UN states that those seeking asylum must obey a countries laws firstly. The only reason we can hold the illegals in detention is because they have broken our laws. We cannot detain people without valid cause. Legal entrants are not detained.

If you gain your info from the DIAC, they list the number of overstayers and the vast majority are simply tourists who want to see more and they continue to spend their money here, so are of little concern. The numbers are static because as some leave they are replaced by others who overstay,perhaps for a day or two or maybe for more, but they leave of their own volition. The DIAC also list the number of long term overstayers, which, from memory, is not very great. These numbers are acceptable unless you wish to run a police state and check the occupants of every hotel, etc. each night.

Those few that arrive by air, without a valid visa, are sent back to the place of embarking. Those valid arrivals who then apply for asylum are let into the community because we have definate knowledge of their personal details and can deport them if not elligible.

How can you be a genuine refuge, by passing through several countries to get here. That is somewhat selective, paying thousands for a boat ride and enter here broke, is that a refuge. All refugees should be a matter for the UN to distribute, to available recipients.

The number of boat arrivals is miniscule by comparison.
pelican,
Multiply that figure several times & combined with the birthrate once settled here & you'll find the agenda is paying dividends.
Just read up on Europe.