Poirot we do not alway see eye to eye.
Not taunting that poster above.
Just expressing and honestly held view and acting as I would in real life.
I am offended by nearly every word in that post.
And on behalf of all men who feel no need for the sexism and open taunting/talking down to you because you are a woman.
Say strongly we are sorry to you.
Sorry too that any one feels so threatened they get so very far into the gutter in comment.
My respect and regards.

Thanks, Belly.

: )

It is a pity that Parrot suffers from such a poor understanding of the English language.

One of the coalition's policies on illegal boat arrivals is to turn back the boats, which includes towing back the boats if necessary. The coalition has never claimed otherwise, and nothing yet put up by the left whingers contradicts this.

The fundamental difference between Labor/greens and the coalition is that Labor regularly makes grand announcements and then fails to deliver (or in the case of the carbon tax, delivers what it promised not to) and then spends time spinning excuses for its failures.

The coalition simply delivers. In the last month we have Improved relations with Indonesia and Malaysia, a bilateral agreement with Indonesia on people smuggling, a restoration of the cattle trade, an accelerated process on free trade with China and Japan, and an overnight collapse in illegal boat arrivals.

More than Labor achieved in 6 years in this area.

SM, (Minister for roolly clever namies)

"One of the coalition's policies on illegal boat arrivals is to turn back the boats, which includes towing back the boats if necessary. The coalition has never claimed otherwise, and nothing yet put up by the left whingers contradicts this."

So, you reckon the Coalition has never claimed otherwise?

I'm beinning to have doubts about your level of engagement here.

What's this then - directly out of the mouth of Tony Abbott?

".....Can I just scotch this idea that the Coalition’s policy is or ever has been tow-backs...."

http://www.pm.gov.au/media/2013-10-01/joint-press-conference-minister-julie-bishop-jakarta

I'm a little puzzled that you went to so much trouble to attempt to prove to me that Tones & Co never said anything about tow backs - and now you're gung-ho about telling me that its definitely their policy, always has been and chortling away because you think you've proved something...?

Like I said, time for a break?

..........

And you appear to regard Abbott tip-toeing around Asian leaders, over-doing the hand-shakes (how embarrassing) apologising for insulting them when in opposition - and generally behaving like a toady (until he arrives back home and instructs Morrison to about face on everything) as being something to be proud of...well...

He's just a huge bumbling, muttering, obsequious embarrassment

Asylum can be claimed inside territorial waters (12 nautical miles out), beyond which there is a "contiguous zone" (24 nm).

From "The Law of The Sea", Article 33

1. In a zone contiguous to its territorial sea, described as the contiguous zone, the coastal State may exercise the control necessary to:

(a) prevent infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitary laws and regulations within its territory or territorial sea;

(b) punish infringement of the above laws and regulations committed within its territory or territorial sea.

Regarding (a) it is not possible to claim asylum in a contiguous zone whilst breaking The Law of The Sea. If it did, it would mean asylum could only be claimed by those arriving by permitted carriers (air or sea) and this is not stated in the refugee convention.

The reason for the "operational" secrecy is because forced turning/towing away of asylum seekers is illegal under the refugee convention.

If people think any old way we stop arrivals is fine with the majority of Australians, then most Australians will be fine with withdrawing from the a convention making these ways illegal.

I could then be prouder of my country, well in disagreement with its action but knowing we are not acting illegally in relation to conventions we are joined to and cheating on.

Parrot,

You are flailing around pointlessly. Once again you are trying to play semantics.

If you want to prove your point, please show where at any time where Abbott claimed that towing back the boats is coalition policy, or more than one item in many making up the turn back the boats policy?

Also please show where the coalition indicated that they had disavowed towing back the boats as part of their repertoire or turning back the boats?

I would suggest that you give it a break and stop displaying your ignorance.