doog - Malaysia solution was a disaster waiting to happen.

We give them 800 people (plus taxpayers have to support them while they are in Malaysia)
They give us 4,000 which again taxpayers have to support.
Plus all the transport costs etc all paid for by AUSTRALIAN taxpayer.

That was a negotiating win for Malaysia and incompetence by our officials.

How long were the boaters going to keep coming knowing they were going to end up back in Malaysia on the end of the que where they came from. And spent their money doing it.

How long were the boaters going to keep coming knowing
doog,
you're not thinking the way they think. Ask yourself this. Why are they trying so hard to come to Australia ? What country is Malaysia ? what have those "refugees" Malaysia & Indonesia in common ? Do you really think they're concerned about Australia being overrun by their fellow believers ? Do you know what the refugees are being promised to set foot on australian soil ? Do you know what other rewards are promised ? THINK !

@Doog,

<<How long were the boaters going to keep coming knowing they were going to end up back in Malaysia>>

A bloody long time...

So Doog, you and your mate Ali are two of the 200,000 illegals in Malaysia. Like most you are there seeking work, it pays better than back in India. But it's dirty, dangerous and very hard.

You lose contact with Ali for a week or two, and when next you see him he's well dressed, well fed and no-longer interested in looking for work. He now spends most of his days at home reading the papers or watching Bollywood TV.

You ask him what gives, how has he come into this lifestyle.He tells you he took a slow boat to Oz. He later admits he didn't actually sail very far --just 30KM off the coast. And then he called Oz emergency-- on a number provided by refugee advocates -- and the Oz navy came and collected him, took him all the rest of the way. It was just like being on a P&O cruise, he relates ,sun baking on deck, warm spas below deck, and all the while crew served up free food and drink.

So what are you doing back here now, you ask. He tells you that, when he got to Oz they simply flew him back to Malaysia on an airbus A380, with free food and drinks and vids all the way. But and here's the catch, now he's back in Malaysia, the Oz govt has promised it will pay for his upkeep. So now he doesn't have to look for work anymore. And he's now on some sort of "list" wherein he will one day still qualify to go to Oz, but he is in no great hurry, at the moment life here is too good.

The next day you contact a people smuggler to take you to Oz. But you are disappointed to learn that all his boats are booked, for 2years. The slum dwellers of Calcutta having heard about the Australian govts generous Malaysian Solution have booked cruises to Oz

SPQR - I like the analogy above only problem is it will go aver the heads of the refugee advocate fraternity.

At least in PNG it will be an inhospitable place for them that may stop a lot.

Philip S,
yep, a little exposure to PNG PC will open a few eyes. We really should send our do-gooders there for a few months. Make it no time spent in PNG , no BA from Kelloggs.