Lexi my sweet, I have never heard anything on Media Watch, which was in any way accurate.

It, & the science show, must be about the most biased segments on the ABC, & thus ever broadcast anywhere on earth.

SPQR,
However Lexi, and other, try to spin it, the fact remains that Article 31 of the Refugee Convention refers to 'illegal entrants' and that contracting countries, like Aus, agree not to penalise those illegal entrants that subsequently claim our protection.

It seems Lexi has tried the DIAC website and got no joy and now she resorts to things like TV programs to support her argument. I wondered when she would get around to the UN. By the way, the Refugee convention also state there is an obligation for refugees to abide by a countries laws and regulations. Aus laws require all non citizens entering to have a valid visa. While acknowledging they are 'unlawfull entrants', we do not penalise them for their breaking our laws, providing they apply for protection.

I must give Lexi marks for persistance, but she is not the only one misled by illegals advocates.

Yup, Banjo...

It seems we penalise some more than others.

If you arrive by plane and overstay your visa, then apply for asylum, you'll probably be allowed to remain in the community - and sometimes even work.

If you arrive in a clapped-out fishing vessel after a perious journey, you're locked up (if you're really lucky, you'll end up in a scene from Carry On Camping in the lovely and inspiring locale of Manus Island) http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-29/tv-still-showing-manus-island-27foul-ground27-sign-28four-co/4657420

Dear Hasbeen,

Media Watch simply corrects misinformation.
That's their job and they do it without
any political bias or agenda.

The letter to the editor that SPQR posted from
the public servant in 2004 came as no surprise.
John Howard won re-election in 2001 partly
because of his tough policy on asylum seekers arriving
by boat. What else could a public servant under Howard
write - the demonising of asylum seekers was the
politics of the day. Years on John Howard is still
framing the asylum seeker debate. Asylum seekers are
still being demonised and the Coalition is still
sending messages of "We will stop the boats."
Thus hoping to win the election.

Dear Banjo,

I've given you the link earlier that you had asked for,
It confirms quite clearly the points I've been making.
Article 31 of the Refugee Convention prohibits states
from imposing penalties on refugees and this article
recognises that refugees have a lawful right to enter a
country for the purposes of seeking asylum.
It lists the number of rights specific to refugees.

No matter what evidence is presented and what's
said I can see that your mind is made up.
There's nothing more to be said. I'll leave you to your
opinion. However, remember facts don't cease to exist
simply because you don't like them or choose to ignore
them.

cont'd ...

Look up under the chapter:

"Are asylum seekers illegal?" page 2.

http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id&3A%22library/prspub/HGNW6%22

Well that's interesting, Lexi.

Particularly the part that states:

"The UNHCR emphasises that a person who has a well-founded fear of persecution should be viewed as a refugee and not labelled an 'illegal immigrant'..."

and

"Asylum seekers do not break any Australian laws simply by arriving on boats without authorisation. Australian and international law make these allowances because it is not always safe and practicable for asylum seekers to obtain travel documents or travel through authorised channels..."