Belly,
I may have been a bit direct and forcefull to Anthonyve but I thought I was rational. The illegals are not nice people so do not deserve to be addressed in nice manner.

See you mentioned what it is costing us. Yeah, not only do I hate us being conned but all that money wasted on the illegals could be used elsewhere, like Pacific Hwy or new rail line for commuters, or some other usefull projects.

It is our money so we should benefit. Is that selfish?

Or, could be used to help genuine refugees.

*I am interested in the Green notion of decriminalizing transport of asylum seekers with no jailing of crews or impounding of boats. We might expect that would quickly lead to better boats, better crews, better safety.*

No problem Luci, I could soon charter a liner or two and ship
straight from the Middle East. How many asylum seekers would
you like? Half a million a year or more then that?

We could dock right there in Sydney, unload the cargo and the
rest would be for you, the Greens and taxpayers to deal with.

Labor is not to blame for the tragic loss of life incurred when a group of hopeful people decided to take the risk to reach Australian shores for the opportunity for a better economic life and a country where religious and political freedom is the norm.
Nor does the blame rest with the liberals or even the Greens.
The blame for the loss of life rests with the individuals on the boat.
Each person decided to make Australia their destination knowing full well that the alternative to queuing for admission and flying safely to our shores was to pay a smuggler and play boat roulette.
People constantly argue these people have no other choice, but is this really the truth?
Australia does not have to be the safe haven if one is fleeing war or political persecution. To reach Australia, people fleeing for these reasons pass through other nations like the UAR that are politically stable countries and not at war; yet obviously unattractive to many asylum seekers. A choice has been made - and consequences will result.
It's time to be honest and admit that people make choices and other people are not always to blame

"""
No problem Luci, I could soon charter a liner or two and ship
straight from the Middle East.
"""

Hehehe! Onya, Yabby. Might beat shipping live cattle; after all they want that banned!

Ludwig, I am sorry. I was confusing you with that Labor stalwart Shadow Minister!

I see another voice of reason (other than my own of course!) in the
excellent post above by WWG.

You are right WWG, in saying the blame for these boat tragedies lies with the people willing to pay for sub-standard boat passages.

How are we to know that the current situations in all the countries that people are fleeing from, would not have also caused the boats to still sail to Australia even under a Liberal Government/ offshore processing situation?

We need to work with the Indonesian/Malaysian Governments to stop the boats leaving their shores in the first place.

If that means ensuring it is financially worth their while, then surely it would be cheaper than putting up all the asylum seekers here, or allowing them to stupidly board dangerous boats for Australia?

Welcome to the Bear pit WWG hope you stay.
Banjo I understand.
Dare I ask these questions?
In resolving any dispute, no good is served other than to inform, in rehashing things that can not be changed.
Shadow Minister seems determined to tell us 150 other country's are WILLING to take our refugees, how many of us think that is near true?
Government, now forced by public opinion, has set a REGIONAL FOCUS on solving the problem.
The Shadow Minister, not our gentleman, spoke of sending boat people to Iran!
Why has the right refused to take owner ship of that?
Will NEGATIVE MAN suggest North Korea as the solution?
Conservative talk of floggings, that will not take place.
But talk of our Navy,turning the boats around at gun point at sea?
A REGIONAL SOLUTION, starting with Malaysia, we know, surely if we do not we are not equipped to comment?
The 800 swap for 4.000, other than a damp cloth for SM to miss represent as an Axe is to make boats stop, and give hope to those who waited, did not get on boats.
If we are equipped to comment here we know two that 800 will if not stopping the boats be renewed.
The Malaysian solution speaks these words loudly.
*If you get on a boat and get to Australia, you will not be able to stay*
Consider please, this hung Parliament is giving power to enforce views not held by most on us all.
But conservatives and Labor,80% of our country want an end.
I with true 100% belief, think Tony Abbott fears most the Malaysian solution will work.
And he fears it would then be used world wide, and succeed.
20 million refugees, name them that.
World wide, we the majority let minority's tell us we can settle this world wide problem by lowering our living standards and turning our city's in to ghettos.