Part of Individual's comment;
Perhaps Mr Bowen is just a victim of his departments

I think it goes further than that, policy has been captured by the
trendies in the dept and the greens.

It is "The poor threatened escaping asylum seekers" syndrome.
The minister dare not do other than go along with it otherwise he will
have the wrath brought down on his head.

However those arriving by plane, well obviously they cannot have been
under threat or they would not have been able to buy a plane ticket
and arrive at Macot complete with passports and baggage.

The first type were only able to buy airline tickets to Malaysia and Indonesia.
Then they had the misfortune to have their documentation
stolen or lost or sold on the black market.

This whole situation shows how the greens and the labour party are
either stupid or just trying for the trendy vote.
What other explanation is possible ?

Perhaps one way to prevent a total collapse would be a rule that only second generation offspring of these so-called asylum seekers are eligible to vote.
First generation are obviously still very much entrenched in what they left behind & unlikely willing to put Australia's interests high in their priorities. After all, they're sent here to change Australia but my guess is that second Generation would integrate.

Bazz - To arrive by plane from any of the countries they come from they need a visa, they would not be able to get it. If they arrive with no visa it is the responsibility of the airline that bought them to take them back.

Misc note - Taxpayers have again paid the bill for lawyers etc for 1 who was deemed a threat to go to the high court and now it has ruled ASIO can't reject him.

Another joke for Gillard and Co we are paying for them to fight any adverse decision.

WELCOME TO THE LUCKY COUNTRY ONLY IF YOU COME BY BOAT.
Screw the taxpayer.

Philip S, you misunderstood what I wrote.
The point I was making is that both groups had the same documentation
and must have left their countries in an orderly manner and did not
have to make a run for the border in the night.

Those that arrive in Australia by air and then or later apply for
asylum should be transported to Christmas Island and join the rest there.

That seems to me to be fair.
I think that would stop the boats as well.

Bazz - It won't stop the boats, it comes down to basic economics Malaysia and Indonesia give them nothing not 1 red cent therefore to survive they have to work there illegally usually for a room and some food that is all. Also the are illegally there and possible have to pay the police not to find them.

Now if they come here they get supported with EVERYTHING at taxpayer expense.

Quote "Those that arrive in Australia by air and then or later apply for asylum should be transported to Christmas Island and join the rest there." That number is extremely small because they know if they try it they can be returned home easily because they have the passport and the airline that bought them would have to take them back. There may be more reason I am not aware of or they would do it $500 air ticket as opposed to $9,000 leaky boat.

That is why in England they hide the passport because without documentation the return process is very difficult