This is definitely not a regional problem, it's based on global experiences & an attempt of a global takeover. There's global backing for this agenda.

individual,

As far as refugees coming on Indonesian boats is concerned, it's a regional issue.

One that needs to be sorted between the place of most recent departure - Indonesia - and the destination - Australia.

Poirot: As far as refugees coming on Indonesian boats is concerned, it's a regional issue. One that needs to be sorted between the place of most recent departure - Indonesia - and the destination - Australia.

Agreed. Australia doesn't want them coming & Indonesia won't have them back once they have left port. Even if they are in Indonesian waters. What Indonesia needs to do is stop them at their gate when they arrive & send them back to where they came from. Indonesia & Malaysia can do that do that because they are not a signatory to the UNCHR. If you ever watch Border Security, Australia & other Countries do it all the time. It's not a problem.

That's what Rudd should have told the Indo's. Schimple ;-)

That, with a signed declaration that they have no intention of claiming Asylum before they are granted a Visa to travel to Australia. Plus sign another one on the Customs Declaration before they deplane.

Poirot, "Big tough Australia is more like the wimpy rich kid in the region whose only experience in real fights are those he's experienced as a back up to the Britain of the US"

Where the hell did you come from and by what right do you say that, Poirot? It is insulting rubbish.

What a truly ignorant and disgusting thing to say.

When have you ever volunteered for active service, old fruit?

JayB,

Well now, you really have brought up very good points for us to digest. I hope other members will read these and realise how we seem to have already bent over backwards to facilitate good enough relations with Indonesia, that they in turn should be only too willing to co-operate with us over the boats problem.

We've already given enough help and goodwill gestures to Indonesia. What are they giving in return? And why is the P.M. not reminding them that we need co-operation from them too? Does our largesse deserve no return at all? If so, why give it with no strings attached?
We really, really can't afford to throw money away to curry favour with other countries every time they are visited by our politicians. Charity should start at home - we are the employers, and pay too well for the results we are currently getting.

Lexi,

I like your optimism, and would like to be able to agree with you, but somehow I think you are going to be as disappointed as myself.

Yes, it would be good if it could be resolved in the region with no outside or Greens bleeding hearts input. I also disagree with you that KR has made a step in the right direction. Remember, it was KR who started the breach of our porous border, and still maintains there can be no quick fix, thereby softening us up to the realisation that nothing is going to change in the near future.

Howard stopped it dead in it's tracks, so yes, it can be done. Then maybe we can examine the cases for genuine refugee FAMILIES who dare not risk their children's lives on leaky boats, and probably don't have the money to bribe their way here anyway.

Wouldn't a good parent endure some time in a refugee camp as long as their children were safe, the family unit was preserved, and they knew at the end of this they would have safe and legally sanctioned passage for them to a country not torn apart by war?

These are the people who should be given first priority and are most likely to integrate through their children. It would also maintain a balance of the sexes, unlike the [what- 80 to 95% maybe?] young and illegal males who are currently flooding us.

Maybe you can ferret out an exact percentage of the male/female/child under 10 ratio arriving in the last 4 years.

Of course, we still will have to believe the figures we are given, and being a sceptic, I know they may not be true - just what the pollies want us to believe. I no longer trust any of them to have anything but their own interests first and foremost, and they keep proving that to us.