Abbott can take or not take responsibility as he pleases.

My point is that even if he does deign to pop his head out of the bunker, it's only under the supervision of Credlin and his minders. He appears incapable of speaking under his own volition and with his own mind.

What kind of a leader scuttles down the street ignoring inquiries into a serious issue?

He could have at least offered condolences and indicated a statement would have been forthcoming.

I could give a toss what you think about people fleeing persecution...

But I'd be interested to see you and your (not so) manly cohort here in a similar position...I bet you'd all squeal long and loud.

No one here has said the situation is Australia's fault PhillipS.
Obviously it is a mixture of 'faults' to do with the problems in their original countries, the countries they travel through to get to Indonesia, the people smugglers, and some of the refugees themselves.

The problem we have is how the PM and his Government handle themselves and the refugees involved, as far as this asylum seeker situation goes.

This current Govt spent years ranting and raving about the Labor Govt's handling of the asylum seeker problem, when they were in opposition, but when anyone asks about what is happening now, there is silence on all fronts.

What have they got to hide anyway?
Surely the current situation can't be as bad as before the Coalition swept into power... can it?

Not to worry, soon the wet /cyclone season will be here, and the boats will stop anyway.
Gee, I hope Tony doesn't call that time his 'success' at stopping the boats?

Poirot - Quote "But I'd be interested to see you and your (not so) manly cohort here in a similar position...I bet you'd all squeal long and loud"

Sounds to me like you a getting into a tizzy.

To quote you again "What kind of a leader scuttles down the street ignoring inquiries into a serious issue?" One who has not yet been given all the facts so as to make an informed comment.

Just out of interest what does "deign" mean?

Suseonline - I agree they should be more forthcoming with arrivals etc.

Philip S,

" One who has not yet been given all the facts so as to make an informed comment. "

Sorry, not good enough for a leader.

I suggested: "He could have at least offered condolences and indicated a statement would have been forthcoming."

That's what leaders do, even if they're not fully cognizant of all the facts.

They don't scuttle down the street like a dodgy trader pursued by the media.

Since you can't bothered seeking out a dictionary, I'll help you out with "deign".

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/deign

Susie,
What you have said in response to my post is incorrect.
I asked why the media is blaming Australia.
You said what they were on about, was that they are saying the Libs new strategy is not working.
That is not correct. Have a look at the headlines.
The latest one I see today in The Australian is "Australia failed to send help"
There keep on blaming Australia for failing to rescue people 100m off the coast of Indonesia. There is no mention of what you say, about the libs strategy, it is all about how supposedly Australia failed to send help.
Incredible hypocrisy, why are you not blaming Indonesia for failing to rescue people just off there coast.

I see the new competent government has started to implement its policy by rescuing the asylum seekers in Indonesian waters and returning them to Indonesia. So when the traffickers phone up the Australian Navy expecting labor's water taxi service to Xmas Island, they get sent home.

There is no interference with Indonesian sovereignty if Australia turns the boats around in International waters, and Abbott is going to get some form of agreement that Indonesia does not interfere in Australia's sovereign rights to intercept and stop illegal boats coming to Aus, and Aus will not interfere in Indonesian sovereign rights.