doog,
Yeah, just like the ALP supporters like to link themselves to the Labor Party of integrity of so long ago.

http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/abbotts-copycat-towback-plan-wont-stop-the-boats-20130714-2pxyg.html
I tread on dangerous ground in posting this link.
Reality is not welcomed in this debate.
I share the wish to stop the boats, yes totally and forever.
I admit my party got it wrong.
And for the most part started the current flow.
But, to my harsh critics that is the place my being right ends.
They like many,have fallen for Tony Abbott,s simplistic three word LIE!
We he says will turn the around.
No he will not, and who ever takes his job, pre or post election will withdraw from that silly statement.
World wide refugees,many if not most, economic refugees,is an increasing problem.
The solution if not a regional one but a world one, must be addressed with understanding.
We must stop the boats/deaths but it will not be done by such as Abbott.

Belly,
People smugglers are Indonesian and in it for the economics. Indonesia has a responsibility to deal with their citizens acting illegally by breaching the borders of another country. They are Indonesian boats entering Australian waters without permit. Tow the boats back into Indonesian waters.

Josephus, it is not illegal for Indonesian boats to enter Australian waters.
I do not know if Christmas Island is an official Port of Entry.
What is illegal is for an aircraft or ship to bring undocumented
passengers into Australia.
The passengers can be refused entry and the passengers deported back
to their last port of departure.

That is what happens nearly every day at Australian airports.
I have not heard of Indonesia refusing deported passengers.
I am sure it would have been headlines if it did happen because the
passenger would be ping ponging backwards and forwards.

I think Indonesia has just been waiting for us to wake up and hoping we never do.

Bazz,

Agree with that.

The problem though is that unlike countries like Denmark where the decision of their Immigration department stands and economic migrants are turned back at the gate or within one week of arrival, decisions made by our Immigration Department can be appealed and appealed.

The UK has the same arrangements as Oz and the same unintended consequences - abuses by the quick-witted and lawyers with their snouts in the trough of taxpayers' money.

onthebeach,
If Australia is arresting captains of Indonesian boats for illegal entry and destroying their boats. Are the captains not criminal on that count alone. That they bring people with the intention to stay in Australia without documentation is a separate matter.