SR,

TA's humanitarian credentials are far stronger than anyone's in Labor or the Greens, with decades as a volunteer for fire and surf rescue, fundraising for charity and involvement in indigenous affairs. The saving of hundreds of lives at sea is just the cherry on top.

Ta's humanitarian effort on Manus Isl will stand for quite some time. Where are these people going to end up, they can't be held indefinitely.
Has the invasion of QLD happened yet, or is that still to come.

There's currently an investigation into the murder
of 40,000 people by the Sri Lankan government -
for war crimes. Countries around the world have
voiced their approval for this investigation -
Great Britain is one of them. However, our current
government is against the investigation. As Mr
Abbott has stated "difficult things happen in
difficult times," Or words to that effect. Julie Bishop
has also voiced her disapproval of the investigation.
And to make matters worse - the Australian
government has even given patrol boats to Sri Lanks to
intercept the people (asylum seekers) attempting to
flee this deplorable situation.

One can't help but wonder whether these asylum seekers
would agree that Mr Abbott deserves to be given a
"Humanitarian Award?" The British Prime Minister certainly
would not!

CLASSIC FOXY! cherry-picking for the left.

So now we've heard the Green Lefts take on things (through Foxy)--but, what does Sri Lanka's closest neighbour ,India, think of the UN resolution/study:

"the resolution ignores the progress already made by the country"

" Ïndia abstains"

http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/india-abstains-from-sri-lanka-vote-in-geneva-114032701061_1.html

And then there's this inconvenient fact:

"According to UNHCR, there are more than 136,000 Sri Lankan refugees living in 65 countries worldwide. Of those who have returned, the overwhelming majority are from Indian camps in Tamil Nadu, with a handful also returning from Malaysia, Georgia and Hong Kong."
http://www.irinnews.org/report/96203/sri-lanka-government-welcomes-refugee-repatriation-from-india

One can only wonder WHEN Australia will start repatriating the Tamils who boated here -- oh look, there goes a flying pig!

Foxy,

Initiating an investigation into Sri Lankan atrocities committed by the government AND the rebels, when the government has opposed it is as useful as teats on a bull. The complete lack of access to anyone or anywhere relevant makes this yet another exercise in pointless gesture politics.

Giving patrol boats to intercept the economic refugees bound for Aus, (that would simply be sent back home again if they hadn't drowned) is a humanitarian gesture that saves lives and $bns of taxpayer's money.

SM,

The final months of the Sri Lankan Civil War
resulted in the deaths of civilians, the
displacement of more than 350,000 and allegations
of gross violations of international and
humanitarian law. An independent investigation into
what was done by both sides is something that would
to me seem worthy of support especially from
governments that are supposedly concerned with
human rights and their violations. Many of
Australia's allies agree with this investigation,
including Great Britain. Therefore the behaviour
of our current government is not something that should
be applauded in this matter. And therefore the
suggestion that Mr Abbott should get a humanitarian
award for supposedly saving lives at sea - is
ludicrous, considering their records thus far -
which is more about "spin doctoring" than saving lives.
At least that's in my opinion. You of course are
entitled to sing your Party's praises as you've always done
on this forum.