I just wish the politicians and politics could be removed from the issue.
We do not want undesirables nor should we forget that we have humanitarian responsibilities.
Somewhere a balance should and can be found but I think Parliament house in Canberra is not the place to look for solutions.
You need far wiser heads than will be found residing in that place.
I do not claim to have the answers as some on this forum appear to do but I am sure there is talent and ability enough in Australia to solve the many problems associated with those arriving by boat.
We are giving the responsibility to the wrong people, those least qualified and whose motives are questionable.
Take it easy.
SD

Has been:
Well said I too am becoming tired of the ABC’s Dear Heart news on supposed wrongs suffered by Boat People. Sarah Hanson Young should be relegated to the back room with her fellow Greens and not pushed into our faces each night on the ABC. The ABC has overstepped its designated purpose too much in recent times and seems determined to direct public opinion towards its own bent. An ugly example of the ABC gone wrong was the live cattle export issue. It allowed Four Corners to broadcast a collection cherry picked video by an Animal Rights vegan.
The boat people issue seems to be going the same way, the ABC should stand back and let our Government and Navy get on with their job and cease putting Boat people views on our plates every night.

With all that money to count and time spent making sure they arent missing out all those unnecessary bonuses and perks, writing recommendations for the next parliamentarian wage rise. It has been a couple of months. Well with all that it must be quite taxing :) trying to solve such a problem.
Even so they would be pushing for another reasonable, workable solution. The one in place is seemingly successful, a huge expense to us though and one the Indonesian government are not impressed by, especially when we scare them with our big ships returning their absconding people to them.
Maybe we should take offense to their negativity at our putting into place a policy to protect our own, because that is our Govts. right and responsibility.
And just a thought. Perhaps their Government could take a little step out of their grand surrounds, and see what is going on out in the real world. Enforce a bit of control from their end showing a bit of responsibility. And reap the rewards of creating some harmony and peace within the world.

That is why I love this site!
On the first day of a new thread some ignore the facts and throw stones at Labor.
Others fall hook line and sinker for the threads shaky directions and offer other events as proof our Navy is full of criminal torturers.
Lets be frank, who is sure these events took place, who knows for sure we entered with intent Indonesian waters.
Come now folks you have seen the flog Labor style of some, do we forever, against both sides of politics, take the bait like some have here and run.
Its a constructe3d lie.
Our system of law our very lost ver5y left and yes our loving and kind *Australia should be ashamed few*
Would willingly knowingly hold these folks hands on to the hot engine pipe, so would the *victims*
Abbott is proving to be a failure, because he is the man he always has been, the wrong one to rule this country or this Nation.
But some both want the boats halted and to agree with a lie like this!
Focus please a few days before our National day are we to take on face value this threads propaganda as true.

What were Australian navy vessels doing so far away, nearer to Indonesia, in the first place?

Is it not because of this silly Christmas Island?
Surely it's only a liability - why don't we hand it back to Singapore?

If no Australian navy ships are in the area for the rescue and the distance to Australian shores is much longer, then surely much fewer will undertake those dangerous trips by boat.

Shaggy Dog,
You said, "We do not want undesirables nor should we forget that we have humanitarian responsibilities.
Somewhere a balance should and can be found but I think Parliament house in Canberra is not the place to look for solutions"

We accept our humanitarian responsibilities and the balance is in the fact that we accept some 13000 (or now 20000) genuine refugees per year. Even among those there are some who cannot/will not be part of our society and we need to show more discretion in choosing some.

Aus should get some benefits from our generosity as well.