"The bottom line is that this decision was taken for purely political ends." Yes, as politcally opposed to an opposition turning boats back out to the open sea should it win government.

"......we could up our intake from Indonesia or Malaysia." So if you can get yourself to Malaysia or Indonesia you improve your chance of Australian residency over those that can't?

I agree with upping our intake, but what refugees do you mean, both asylum seekers and economic migrants? If it is the latter should we not consider applicants of all races and creeds in economic distress around the world rather than those who simply present themselves at our front door? Perhaps a lottery system is in order.

Dear Poirot,

Thanks for the excellent link.

However, be prepared to be accused of citing from a
"blog," and not the MSM - by some of our "knowledgeable"
posters. The pots always gang up when it comes to
calling out the kettle. They don't seem to realise that
trolling for comments is as much a business of the MSM
as blogging.

Luciferase,

Carr and Rudd got in on the "economic migrant" mantra to soften the public up their PNG "solution".

It seems you've bought that line.

The facts:

http://www.factsfightback.org.au/are-asylum-seeker-claims-genuine-check-the-facts/

Lexi,

Yup, I know the lemmings find it difficult to make sense of anything that hasn't first passed through the MSM colon....

But I note you have much enjoyment in delivering an alternative viewpoint and broadening their rather narrow vistas.

Such fun!

"Carr and Rudd got in on the "economic migrant" mantra to soften the public up their PNG "solution". The LNP had already done that but Carr's announcement over Iranians while not simultaneously casting doubt about Hazaras raises the question of what constitutes the need for asylum.

The arrangement with Indonesia over Iranians suggests we are looking towards limiting ourselves as a safe haven to targeted and oppressed ethnic or religious minorities rather than focusing on the politically repressed.

Should Australia be accepting Shi'a Iranians seeking "asylum" not from being a targeted minority but from not enjoying the theocracy they have elected along with their countrymen to live under? They do not live in mortal fear as do the Hazaras in Afghanistan.

Should we accept as asylum seekers anyone unprepared to live under their democratically elected governments? Where there is no democracy let's not forget the success of "People Power" such as in the revolutions in Egypt. Nobody has the right to residence in another country rather than trying to bring about change in their own where they are not part of an oppressed minority and I do not believe the UN refugee charter gives them that right.