P,

The only people I see racing to the bottom are the boat people.

Given that there is a direct ratio between the number of boat arrivals and the number of drownings, your obvious unwillingness to take any action to deter people from getting on these boats implies that:

a) you don't care about the drownings, or

b) you believe this is a separate (or someone else's problem), or

c) you have a magic solution that no one else has thought of.

P.S. I am amazed at how easily your mind is boggled. I assume that it is also boggled by Dudd's jetting everywhere at the taxpayer's expense.

SM,

I have no simple solution to the refugee crisis.

I do, however, know when I see two parties revving up their populist rhetoric, tossing ethics to wind, etc merely to get themselves re-elected.

When have I defended Rudd on this issue?

Rudd and his cohorts stink on this issue, IMO.

Abbott and his cohorts stink on this issue, IMO.

"a) you don't care about the drownings"

Thanks, mate, you really think that's how I feel.

I do see through the rhetoric that most of the people crying crocodile tears on "the drownings" are amongst the most rabid spruikers against allowing "these people" safe haven, whatever the circumstances.

"b) you believe this is a separate (or someone else's problem)"

Well, that's a laugh - Here are our political representatives dumping "our problem" on our poor neighbours for political kudos, seemingly with your tacit approval...and you accuse me of criticising the move.

P,

"I have no simple solution to the refugee crisis."

No one has!

While I agree with you that the drownings issue has be suborned by those that just don't like the boats, the harsh reality is that there is no concrete counter answer to it. More boats = more people drowning, stopping people drowning = stopping the boats.

The point where refugee advocates could argue that the increase in boats was because of push factors has been passed years ago, and there is no doubt that a deterrent or "punishment" is required no matter how odious.

Labor's half Rssed approach has let the situation deteriorate to the point where the already harsh Pacific solution deterrents are not sufficient, and the harshest yet PNG solution is now needed.

The coalition's response is to use all the effective deterrents incl tow backs and TPVs. The tow backs should not be underestimated, as it means the people lose all their money and risk an Indonesian detention center. A handful of tow backs in the 2000s had a disproportionate effect on the flow of boats. TPVs stopped people from bringing in relatives.

To do nothing is to let people die.

Article on Serco and its contracts with the government,...costs, profit, etc.

http://m.smh.com.au/national/serco-profits-rise-as-detention-contracts-hit-186bn-20130419-2i5ln.html

For goodness sake stop arguing;
The answer is simple, do exactly what we do virtually everyday when someone arrives without proper documenttion.
Put then on the next lane back to where they came from.