Loudmouth: there are bombings in one or both of those countries which seem to have targeted Hazaras. Similarly, a high proportion of Iranians are genuinely fleeing persecution, Christians, Baha’i, Kurds, Azeri’s, Baluchis and Sunnis.

Why are these people not fleeing to a country that is not persecuting their particular sect? The Hazaras is Shia. Iran is a Shia Country so they would be welcome there. The Sunnies would be welcome in Saudi Arabia. I guess Kurds aren't welcome anywhere. They had a homeland, East Turkey Northern Iraq & Western Iran, but it was all divided up in 1917 & they missed out. They have been causing trouble ever since. The Azerbaijanis & the Bulachis. I don’t see what the Azeri have to complain about, they are mostly Shia so the Sunnis in Azerbaijani can move south to Turkey or Syria who would accept them. The Bulachis, poor buggers live in the most desolate place in the Middle East. The Bottom of Iran around the coast to Pakistan. They’re Sunnis, so it’s a quick trip across the straits to Saudi Arabia, Yemen. They’d take them.

There is absolutely no need for them to travel thousands of Kilometres to a country like Australia that they have nothing in common with what-so-ever. Schrimple.

JayB, OnTheBeach,Worldwatcher & chrisgaff1000,

I caught two informative interviews today. The first was with Scott Morrison (opposition spokesperson for Immigration)
If you get a chance it is well worth a listen: :http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/battlelines-drawn-on-asylum-policy/4804980

There are a couple things of special note in his interview
1) Scott makes the point that there is provision in the Migration Act for anyone who arrives without papers to be deported.But for years Labor has chosen NOT to enforce that ---instead, now suddenly, leading into the election, they start talking about getting tough and sending those who arrive without papers to the end of the queue. It all harks of putting things off till after the election.

2) The other thing of note in this interview is how Fran Kelly (the ABC interviewer) does her dandiest to push the line that *the poor little darlings were in such a rush to flee for their lives they didn't have time to gather their papers* --he debunks this good and proper.

The second interview I caught was with the govts new immigration minister, Tony Bourke, in all honesty Tony Bourke sounds like a very likeable guy and he was making all the right noises about stopping the shonks .But in the end it is not about how nice Tony Bourke is, or how polished Kevin presents in a debate, it's about FOLLOW THROUGH. And there are just too many in the Labor party --and on the left side of politics generally-- who do not really want to stop the illegals, and will try and fudge or fool their way past taking decisive action.

Christ, we certainly are the lucky country.
Loudmouth,
Yes & I for one have no wish whatsoever to jeopardise that. I have worked hard enough to get upset when I see my tax dollars being spent on people who have no commitment to this country whilst decent working Australians can't even get their teeth fixed. Those in the detention centres & in jails get way better medical care than genuine citizens. Something is very wrong. On one hand our Government spent literally tens of millions for us to stop smoking yet sees it fit to buy 5 million dollars worth of cigarettes for inmates in detention. Only today I was talking with a bloke from Weipa who told me that some asylum seekers were sent back & given up to $80,000 per group. I would be one of the first to help someone in need but I draw the line in giving them preference to my own family & that's what this Government has been doing.

(continued)

And you can see that very clearly in Lexi:
--When the detainees where rioting and burning their faculties, her mantra was *let's wait and see what will happen*
--When Kevin talks about meetings, its again *let's wait and see what will happen*

In truth she does not want anything to happen –and in her last post she has already in moved onto phase two (phase one is to delay & *talk about it*) Phase two is *lets start unwinding the deterrents-- they're inhumane --bring all the illegals to the mainland and give them the keys to the city*

And, phase two feeds back to the endless loop: *they're still coming --oh my, I wonder why?*

JayB and SPQR,

Dispassionately and thoughtfully presented facts, figures, and ideas make your posts very noteworthy, so wanted to say your posts carry more weight as they refuse to be sidetracked from the subject being debated. You have made very salient points regarding refugees, and the various other, and often more logical, options available to them.
In Perth for the very first time we have places where it isn't safe for women to even shop in certain areas if they are alone.


Lexi,

Sorry, I couldn't find that Four Corners programme you saw anywhere - either on their site or Youtube, so am unable to comment on it.

However, caught a glimpse of one where the reporter wasn't allowed to film inside the camp [think it may have been Nauru], and also read that children and their parents have now been removed from Manus island.
As the population there is virtually all young males [with raging hormones] this was a wise decision.

Haven't yet had time to read and digest properly your latest link. Oh, how I would like a 48 hour day! :)

worldwatcher,

Whereabouts in Perth?

That's a pretty broad statement to say women can't shop safely in some areas alone.

Which areas?

Why can't they shop alone?

What has your statement got to do with asylum seekers? (as if I didn't know:)