As for turning back the boats, this thread is not about that, rather, it's about how all of a sudden K Rudd says most of these are actually economic migrants.

So, I ask again, at what point did he change his view?

Now as for me being quiet of late, well, as the saying goes, if you can't beat em, join em, so I've taken a job.

$26.50 per hour, plus penalties for doing SFA.

Any wonder we are in do do land.

rehctub, good to see you applying your boundless talents. Doing SFA. Do those toilets clean themselves? $26.50 per hour, plus penalties, I'd want double that considering the boss didn't supply a brush and its all done by hand. If they install a flush system will you be made redundant?

Lol Paul : )

Rehctub , good luck with your new job.

Bazz, I can't remember ever having said that Gillard did a good job, but please correct me by showing where I did?
She was never really given a chance to do a good job...

....She was never really given a chance to do a good job...

Suz, While I'm not convinced she could have done a good job, I would have to agree with you on that point.

Paul, you are wasting YOUR talent trying to get a rise out of me mate.

Now let's just lookG a your reply.

$26.50 per hour, $53.00 on a Sunday and $79.50 on a public holiday, for cleaning a toilet you say.

Now let's put this into prospective and apply this rate to what I believe a policeman SHOULD be on, in comparison, because after all, our law enforcement officers often risk their lives to protect our peaceful way of life.

Now we have to remember, police are on salary, not an hourly rate, so in reality, many TOILET CLEANERS actually earn more than police.

Here's a link http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-police-forced-to-work-two-jobs-to-make-ends-meet/story-e6freoof-1225891833427

Do you think the policemen are on a decent wage, in comparison to a toilet cleaner?

Do you think risking ones life is only worth another ten grand per year, and that's ONLY if the toilet cleaner works Mon to Fri set 38hrs.

This is the reason why I say our unskilled wage is too high.

BTW, I am very well skilled, just not using them at the moment.

"This is the reason why I say our unskilled wage is too high." Typical conservative thinking, have you ever considered that maybe skilled wages maybe too low. Was it not that arch conservative Pig Iron Bob Menzies, the founder of the Liberal Party who said Australia needed a pool of unemployed, I do believe his figure was 10%, that will keep the lower classes in check.
Does that copper money include back handers and bribes, if it don't the NSW cops should get it written into the award.

Boat arrivals are seasonal it was always going to happen. It's a world wide problem. We get a few, but Malaysia would have stemmed the flo and made people wait their turn. Purely political reasons why this did not get used.
We can not compare policies, Mr Abbott won't share his with anyone. So it comes down to popularity. Palmer will get seats, and so will The cowboy bloke, and greens.
Abbotts tactics were all the rage in the USA, but came to nothing in the end. Australia deserves better from our would be leaders. Maybe its time for real governmental change, the present system is failing. When you have a govt; that can not govern because someone other than govt; says no, is that the system we need here