Honestly thought this was a given, that we all know why we do not send them back.
First J W Howard like both the two Labor PMs and yes Abbott value the relationship with Indonesia.
That country too is VICTIM of the free loaders/boat people.
See they and Malaysia would like an end to boat people, like it or not by far the most of us want that too.
And yes! the costs without the generations of them on our welfare are costing us big time.
But we for many reasons including the law of the sea, and preventing a war with Indonesia! yes true, we just can not.
IF we could it would be done in seconds.
I hope Abbott puts out the true costs to us not just in holding them but in long term welfare out so the public can understand we are taking from our own poor to give to these unwelcome visitors.
Foxy to defend Australia,s welfare benefits system, and it needs defending, we must ensure it is not being wasted by the unworthy.
That task is too important to ignore.

Belly,
Malaysia, through which most of them transit, could stop the
whole thing overnight, by putting them straight back on the plane that
brought them.
A little questioning and baggage inspection by the immigration people would pick them out.

It would seem there is some sort of conspiracy to fill Australia with Muslims. Indonesia would prefer an Islamic neighbour so is not going to do much to limit fellow Muslims coming to Australia by boat. I am sure they would deliver them by plane and ship if we are stupid enough to accept them.

wobbles, may well you accuse me of being born in the wrong era, but seriously, and I mean SERIOUSLY, given the present state of our economy, especially looking forward, then taking our failing health and education services, do you honestly think we can afford to care for these extras, given we can't even care for our own.

Two things that come to mind, One, where are we going to find long term sustainable jobs for them. And Two, what do you suggest we slash to find the money needed to care for them, because you must remember, government revenues are falling, not growing.

JBOWYER Great post the proliferation of immigration lawyers has been a rather nasty result of this whole issue. I think the law faculties should be closed and the resources directed towards faculties based on maths and science which will strengthen our economy. Lawyers offer nothing to us or our economy and prosper at our expense. The word parasite is a suitable description of their role.

rache - Quote "If it comes down to a matter of cost, it would be far cheaper to process them on the mainland than to fund this extravaganza with all those overseas detention centres."

It helps if you look at the whole picture instead of a small part of it.

You don't take into account the ongoing cost of these economic refugees being on welfare even though they have been here over 5 years.

Also the criminal activities of people coming from a extremely oppressed society to a more liberated one, the number of sexual assaults etc is growing larger from ones released into the community.

Next time you see a homeless family or person just remember we have tens of thousands of homeless Australians but not ONE homeless refugee.

The list goes on and on.