Dear Shadow Minister,

Finger-pointing is not going to solve the problem that has
perplexed several governments. And this is a problem that
is not about to go away any time soon. If the Coalition
wins the next election - they will still have the same
problem. You keep quoting the Pacific Solution and Nauru -
fair enough - that's your party line and you're here to
promote it. We all understand it. However, it was an
extremely expensive "solution" I bleieve the quote was
somewhere in the vacinity of $600,000 per person. It had
some awful effects on the people kept in detention - the
scars of which still exist today, and as we know most of
them ended up in Australia anyway. A repeat of that - is
not something that any thinking person concerned with human
rights would want to see repeated. Mr Abbott and Co were
asked to vote on making changes to the Migration Act - in
order to allow whatever government was in power in the future
to be able to make decisions concerning asylum-seekers.
Mr Abbott voted "No,No No" as always. Therefore, he obviously
will only support - "No, No, Na, Nau, Naur, Nauru!"

That travesty isn't about to happen any time soon. And your
bleating about what Labor does wrong - is a bit of a joke.
Look to your own Party's leader - he hasn't got anything right
so far and people are getting sick and tired of your and his
same old negativity. It's wearing a bit thin. Your're a one
issue Party. Condem Labor. That's all you've got! Keep it
up. You're doing Labor a favor!

asylum seekers are not kept in one place and provided for but released into the community to fend for themselves.
Shadow Minister,
I would appreciate if you could read & comment on the last posts in the Boat People set loose thread.
Those who whine about Abbott's refusal to agree to the Malaysian solution should put their money where their mouths are & help the asylum seekers when they get treated according to Malaysia's attitude towards illegals. They'd be quite happy to condemn the asylum seekers as long as Julia gets her way. Where do they think the major terrorist cells are brainwashing ? Not in Nauru that's for sure.

Dear Individual,

There are many terrorist cells around the world
in various countries. However, people with
questionable histories are immediately sifted
out by the Immigration Department. There is of
course no guarantees that everyone will escape
detection - but we do have stringent laws in place.
And these laws will serve whichever government is
in power. But as we all know - those that want to
rort the system will manage to do it - again,
no matter which government is in.

It's probably worthwhile reading the bald facts at
http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e4884c6.html
Australia contributes to the work of UNHCR

Australia will provide resources for the 800 and Malaysia has agreed to certain standards in relation to them, including their right to work in formal employment. 4000 processed refugees will be removed from Malaysia to be resettled in Australia.

Without any solution in place, SM is correct, the 800 was reached in a short time. With the proposed Malaysian Solution in place, it is expected that boats will stop. The agreement is open to new tranches as necessary, with Malaysia stating committment to its part of the agreement. Implying Malaysia is lying in relation to its committment, based on what one may think of our government, is pure prejudice.

Stop your ingenuous hand-wringing about human rights and safety and be honest, SM, Mr Abbott's biggest concern of all about the Malaysian Solution is that it will work.

@Lexi,

<< However, people with questionable histories are immediately sifted out by the Immigration Department. There is ofcourse no guarantees that everyone will escape detection - but we do have stringent laws in place>>

ROFL

"Two Burmese refugees from Brisbane's northside have admitted to working for Burma's oppressive military junta, infiltrating student groups and inciting ethnic hatred.

Northgate's Htoo Htoo Han, now a human rights artist and campaigner, said he executed 24 anti-government protesters and student leaders during the 1988 anti-government uprisings and had indirect involvement with 100 other murders while infiltrating student organisations and identifying and targeting leading activists.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/north/refugees-admit-to-dark-past/story-fn8m0rl4-1226101571479

"There are claims that hundreds, if not thousands of people living in Australia may have committed crimes against humanity in different parts of the world, and their communities believe they know who they are."
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/war-criminals-in-australia/3099724

"A Somali community leader says he has expected a terrorist incident in Australia for at least two years.

His comments come after four Australian citizens were arrested this morning in counter-terrorism raids that foiled an alleged plan to enter army barracks in Sydney and carry out a sustained attack on military personnel"
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-08-04/scholar-predicted-somali-terrorist-activity/1378320

To borrow an expression from Shadow Minister: we have a snow balls hope in hell! And even in those rare instances when we find something amiss, advocates will push for their release. As with this piece from Bruce Haigh.
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=12900&page=0

Lexi & Luciferase,
could you please read & comment on the last posts in the thread Boat people set loose ?
Would be good to get another view on the situation on Xmas Island.