Luciferase,

<<Just why is it that forcibly turning back unsafe, overcrowded boats back out to further danger at sea...appeals to you so? >>

It's not about turning boats back into cyclonic seas. Consider what we have on offer:

1) If they tell us they're from the right locality, their prospects of acceptance are good--extremely good.
<<NINETY-SIX per cent of Afghan asylum claims finalised last year were successful >>

2) And while they wait their claims to be processed, they have prospects of being released into the community (we provide the spending money!)
<< In 18 October last year, the Prime Minister and I announced that the Government would move the majority of children and vulnerable family groups out of immigration detention facilities and into community-based accommodation by June this year>>
http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2011/cb159599.htm

3) And they may get the chance to sponsor their relos
<<Mr Shahi arrived on Christmas Island as an unaccompanied child in May 2009 and was granted a protection visa later that year.In December 2009 he applied for a ''global special humanitarian'' visa for his mother and several other family members to join him in Australia.">>
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/high-court-rules-for-afghan-refugee/story-e6freooo-1226222067060

4) And they need not work ever again.
<<MORE than 60 per cent of refugees to Australia have failed to get a job after five years, according to a damning Federal Government report into the humanitarian settlement program.And 83 per cent of those households now rely on welfare payments for income>>
http://www.news.com.au/national/a-world-of-long-term-welfare-for-refugees/story-e6frfkvr-1226050161428#ixzz1iEuPh8r4

5) And they even get to return to the old country (that is the place they feared so much!) for a little rest and recreation --without it damaging their refugee status.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/a-refugee-reconnects-20110701-1guv1.html

Now ask yourself: is there any wonder we have an influx of boaties!

Is there any wonder we are seeing a proliferation of websites like this: http://www.afghans-asylum.mihanblog.com/
screaming: "Immigrate to Australia"

(such sites do a better job than any Tourism Australia sites in attracting people to our shores --though few of them be paying guests!)

If you remove this red carpet treatment you will not need to force anyone back --they will not come in the first place!

SPQR,

You write, "It's not about turning boats back into cyclonic seas.."
then you go on with your various concerns, some with which I agree, without coming back to this point.

What would you do in relation to the concerns you raise. Under the UN convention, we must provide certain support.

Why won't you support the Malaysian swap deterrent?

I note that in your link http://www.afghans-asylum.mihanblog.com/
there is discussion about the possible need for physical force in the transfer of people to Malaysia under the swap arrangement. Compared with forcing boats back, I can live with this on my conscience. It would be interesting to see whether the press is kept at bey to sanitize the transfers (there are moves in this direction now), but even if it wasn't, I think middle Australia would not shrink from the necessity.

The Coalition is going to keep the boats issue open for all its worth. Boats=Votes. You will note its rhetoric has tempered with mention of forcibly turning back boats barely now given utterance. a mire of other false solutions and concerns keep the pot simmering nicely, buying valuable time and leverage. Again, I'll say that I do not wish to rehash this ground (look me up as a user to see all I've had to say if you want).

Are there any Greens out there who will put up here on OLO, with the condition that I (and everyone else, I hope) will treat you respectfully?

SPQR in an extremely hard and controversial subject you impose other solutions and neatly side step those on the table.
Both sides of politics are fixed on their solution not looking for yet more.
Greens, as is their nature, are fixed on their minority views only.
I say Malaysia will work, is not evil, and that is the only reason NEGATIVE MAN opposes it.
I too think Greens supporters are, well far less aware of the out comes of freakishly silly policy's, than income and educational back ground would expect.
Education that ignores 85% of the country's wishes, is self serving enough to think only their view is right, is harmful.
Greens could do no more to help conservatives than just remain the menace they are now.
Left of center is being chopped up every time a foolish young woman steps up to the mike and releases her mindless rubbish.
First bill this year should be to make first past the post our voting system, second abolish upper houses every one of them.
Let elected governments not Naked Morris dancers rule.

The PM was correct that controlling one's borders,
the core job of any nation state should be a matter
for the Executive. Not 7 High Court Justices.

Supporting the PM's legislation was not about the
Malaysian deal. It was about ensuring that such
fundamental decisions rest with elected officials,
not a committee of unelected ex-lawyers.

Mr Abbott and the Coalition effectively sided with
the Greens on that issue. It's time Australians
woke up to what's really happening and how politics
is being used.

Luciferase,

I agree that the opposition is playing the issue for all it’s worth.
As you say, boats =votes. But the electorate should be heard.
Gillard knowing middle Australia’s feelings, played-up her toughness re border control, but when she was elected she had no plan, only vague ideas all of which came to naught.

<< Under the UN convention, we must provide certain support.>>
Under the Convention, Temporary Protect Visas are a perfectly acceptable option, but our “leaders” have been so intimidated by the Greens and their allies that they have been taken off the table.

<<Why won't you support the Malaysian swap deterrent?>>
If you were one of the 100,000+ illegals living in Malaysia. With no promise of work, education, healthcare & subject to constant beatings. And you saw your fellow illegals who’d tried (unsuccessfully) to boat to OZ being shipped back, but now “guaranteed” work, education, healthcare and NO beatings. Might not you be motivated to take a slow boat to OZ?
Why, I’d wager, that even if you were living in the slums of Mumbai --and had previously not contemplated visiting OZ or Malaysia – you might be tempted to give it a go.

Why support such a Byzantine concoction when you can get better results by simply saying NO to illegals?

<< I note that in your link …there is discussion about the possible need for physical force in the transfer of people to Malaysia … I think middle Australia would not shrink from the necessity.>>

I can see it now:
SBS & the ABC would each run six part documercials bemoaning our inhumanity.
“Prominent person” would ruin full page newspaper spreads decrying it.
And every time little Ali fell over and grazed his knee in Malaysia, it would be a human rights incident.

How on earth do you expect an administration that didn’t have the wherewithal to remove illegals from the Oceanic Viking. But acquiesced to providing them with “culturally appropriate meals”,while its PM ran around the world like a second-rate supplicant seeking nations – acceptable to the occupiers-- make such a program work

SPQR,

You give a good account of the possible horror awaiting us under the swap deal, but I don't think the sky will fall in. Suck it and see, I say, and if you are right, we have lost nothing. Anything is better to try before turning boats back, especially when we ended up having to rescue many, from self-harm mostly, and bring them in for onshore processing anyway.

Regarding the Ocean Viking, I expect physical force to be necessary and that there will be Gov't resolve to use it with all there is now politically at stake.

Again, calling on any Greens out there willing to join the discussion, or is it just too hard?