<< So, with a compliant media, the public is effectively gagged on the issues. >>

Absolutely.

But Banjo, why is the media so compliant?

I would have expected them to really stick it to the pollies whenever they can. And surely immigration provides rich pickings!

There is in-depth political analysis going on all the time. Newspaper, radio, TV; they all have it.

And yet I have heard NOTHING about immigration, in relation to the budget. Nor in relation to infrastructure, which is simply staggering given Abbott’s self-appointment as our ‘infrastructure Prime Minister’.

Immigration is critically connected to the budget and to infrastructure. So what on Earth is going on?

Ludwig wrote, "And yet I have heard nothing about immigration".

Ludwig, let me educate you. The reason why they are not making immigration a contentious issue is because ... wait for it .... believe it or not ..... *IMMIGRATION BENEFITS AUSTRALIA*.

But you, and your radical far right wing brothers in arms here, are incapable of seeing factual reality and the overall good. The world to you guys is black and white and nothing else ... no shades of grey, just 100% black and white based on political correctness and/or ideology. It's Ludwig and FORTRESS AUSTRALIA.

Fortunately, Australia as whole is more mature than you guys. That's why it's such a great country, it's civilised and mature, thanks in no small part to immigration.

Ludwig,
There are a few reasons for a compliant media, that suits the deal between the major parties not to debate immigration issues.

Firstly the media cannot get politicians to voice opinions about the rate of immigration, or the detrimental aspects. The polys say very little. They have stuck to their game plan.

Secondly, the major parties and government are the biggest advertisers that use the media, so individual media outlets fear they may lose their custom.

Also big business also buys a lot of advertising space. so the same applies.

Demographic studies have shown that the greatest beneficeries of immigration are the immigrants themselves and business. Business gains because they get an expanding market for land, houses and consumer goods without having to compete with each other.

Don't forget that the major media is part of big business as well and population growth means increased sales for them. Why should they rock the boat?

Big business will continue to make large donations to the major parties so high immigration rates are maintained, irrespective of which party is in power.

Why am I cynical about the major political parties?

And so the anti migrant paranoia and conspiracy theories continue from Banjo and Ludwig. Thank goodness they are amongst a tiny minority of Australians.

Cruelty is the name of the game. It knows no limits...

... unless, none of it is true.

If I were in Morrison's position, then I would tell the media all sorts of lies: I would let them believe that refugees are being tortured before being turned back to Indonesia, so they spread such rumours that deter others from coming. I would let them believe that refugees will be sent under agreement to North Korea and most obviously I would let them believe that family-reunion will be strictly forbidden.

But meanwhile, in the stealth of night, I would allow the refugees quietly in, as well as their families, on condition that they keep their mouths shut. I would provide them with a cover-story as if they came by plane when their turn arrived.

Also, I wouldn't give refugees any tax-payer funds, but I would facilitate the initial contacts between charities and wealthy donors and those refugees.

Can those who hate refugees ever find out whether their hero betrayed them?
Can those who support refugees ever find out whether they accused a saint?

Here is a link about a member of the German Nazi party: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oskar_Schindler

That’s awfully depressing Banjo.

It is really is sewn up, isn’t it. We don’t have a hope in hell of achieving a sustainable society, or of balancing the demand for resources with the supply capability, or of infrastructure actually improving, let alone keeping up with the massive demand for ever more of it.

What is actually happening here with this budget, and with Abbott’s push to increase expenditure on infrastructure, is the greater facilitation of this massive rate of immigration.

It is to a very large extent geared directly towards catering for the demands of new residents and countering some of the negative impacts that they have on existing infrastructure, services, quality of life and environment.

This budgetary ‘emergency’ is nothing of the sort! It is a complete ruse to get more expenditure put into immigration, so that there is less chance of the established population rebelling against this absurd rate of population increase.

The budget could be pulled back into line simply by halving the immigration rate. This would be just as effective as ALL the measures combined that have just been announced as part of the new budget.

Halving the immigration rate would greatly reduce the expenditure side of the budget.

What a crying shame it is that the silly Greens can’t see this and aren’t letting us all know about it in no uncertain terms. If they were genuinely green and sustainability-oriented as they would have us believe, then this is what they would be doing.

The two major parties are highly corrupted by vested interests. The business community, of which the media is a part as you say, are totally pushing this vested-interest position.

So it really does have to come down to a third party that is outside of all of this, which can get the votership to appreciate just what is really happening here.

But alas, even though their basic principles are in the right ball park, the Greens just aren’t it!