It is really quite amazing how in this one page the Greens who have not said anything, have been described as, Fascists, Socialists, Socialist alternative and Water melon greens.
It shows how the forces of evil are prepared to smear everybody who is against their ideas of the perfect state and utter hate propaganda to do this.
We seem to be dividing into two camps of extreme right and the "others".

When you see what is happening to refugees in the rest of the World it must be obvious that what is happening here is but a small part of the approaching crisis.
All of the horror unfolding now started from the invasion of the middle east by the Bush, Blair and Howard regime..
None of this would be happening if they had kept out of Iraq and Afghanistan.
It has a long way to go before it is over.

SM,

""Metro Trains, Yarra Trams, the Sheriff’s Office, Taxi Services Commission and the ABF will join Victoria Police as part of the inter-agency operation. With a particular focus on people travelling to, from and around the CBD, the group of agencies will work together to support the best interests of Melbournians, targeting everything from anti-social behaviour to outstanding warrants."

"With not one mention of stopping people and asking for visas...."

Why, in that case, were the ABF involved at all?

But it was mentioned obliquely, as in:

"“ABF officers will be positioned at various locations around the CBD speaking with any individual we cross paths with,” Mr Smith said."

And not so obliquely:

“You need to be aware of the conditions of your visa; if you commit visa fraud you should know it’s only a matter of time before you’re caught out.”"

So SM's argument is instantly blown out of the water.

Lol!...Godwin's Law is invalidated when yer govt forms armed paramilitary units and seeks to deploy them on the streets to harass people.

Hi Paul,

I'm very surprised at how many people on this thread seem to think that this idea would work - of course they don't think it should be implemented, BUT they do seem to think it would work, if it were.

Ask yourself: if you are an Australian citizen, what papers are you required to carry on your person at all times ? None. You can go for a stroll through the city streets on a Sunday afternoon with no papers.

So if somebody is stopped, and simply says, I'm a citizen, bugger off, what could any 'Gestapo' do ? Except, of course, bugger off.

Another point: around half of Australia's population was either born overseas, or has a parent who was. Another 1-2 % in the cities is Indigenous. What are the chances of a mis-directed apprehension ? How does a 'Gestapo' tell the difference between who may not have the right papers, and who doesn't need any at all ?

Try to think an issue through: this one was never going to fly.

Joe

Poirot,

Why was the border force involved? you ask

The BF was only a small portion of the operation organised by Vic Police under the command of the supreme fascist Daniel Andrews, in a continuation of operations that taken place many times before.

At no point in the communique was it mentioned that people would be asked for their visas or passport, which would be useless anyway as no one is required to carry them, which essentially blows your argument right out of the water.

It is typical of the far left whingers to deliberately misinterpret whatever they want, then start howling that they want their delusion stopped, which other than taking Prozac is impossible.

What can we expect next from these pinheads? Claims that random breath tests are racial profiling by paramilitary units.

What a joke.

Poirot,

You accusing the ABF, of swaggering stupidity! Takes one to know one, as they sway. Although, I must say that you are probably unable to swagger and be stupid at the same time.

Hi Joe,

At no time in my original post did I suggest Australia had become a police state, even the title (question) 'Is Australia Ready to Become a Police State?' indicates I do not believe Australia is such now, but there is a possibility in the future that could become a reality. I did use the Nazi's 'Gestapo' which is a infamous example of the excesses of secret police operating under a totalitarian regime, I described Australia as a tolerant liberal democracy, at this time i believe it still is.
My concern is there are indication that we are moving ever slowly away from the liberal democracy and towards something far more sinister and dangerous, recent and past events indicate that is the case.