Hi Robert,

Ad hominems ? Moi ?!

Your points then:

* do you really think any Australian government is ever going to re-impose import duties, any more than at present ? In any case, ex-Australian companies producing off-shore have many other markets;

* likewise, any greatly expanded apprenticeship schemes. In any case, skilled migrants are more likely to be working in much more professional positions which can't easily or quickly be filled by Australians;

* says who oil and gas companies might be in financial trouble ? They will simply see opportunities to force up the price on any such moves towards nationalisation. And really, can you see any Australian government buying out oil and gas companies ?

Sorry, mate, your ideas are pie-in-the-sky day-dreams :(

See ? No ad hominems :)

Cheers,

Joe

Dear Robert,

Well if you're an "idiot" then I must be one as well.

I actually thought many of your suggestions made a great deal
of sense.

At least you did offer solutions.

Thank You.

I agree with Foxy there.

Joe, no political party in Australia has entirely clean hands on the question of refugees. Politics has been played by all sides, and mistakes have been made by all sides in the debate.

My own opinion is a middle of the road approach, I do not favor a closed door policy, I certainly do not agree with a blowing boats out of the water policy, no more than I would agree with a totally open door policy of walk up, walk in.

To have queue jumpers, firstly you have to have a queue to jump. There is no such thing as a queue, and talk of a queue is misleading. What there is, is an assessment based priority, time waiting post assessment is a consideration, but it is not the sole determinate. by a long way. The girl you speak of may have had a longer wait, simply by the virtue of the particular camp she was in, then again she may have gained priority over others whom had been waiting a longer period of time but had less priority. I would agree waiting 18 years in a refugee camp for resettlement is far too long. The cause is too many waiting for too few places, the 1% per year of the total number in camps that get resettled. On that scale 18 years could be seen as better than average, shocking but better than average. For some on here there is no time factor, they would not allow any refugees into Australia.

cont

cont

By boat is not something that should be encouraged, full stop. Working with governments that control ports of embarkation is the first step in stopping the illicit practice, with severe penalties for those engaged in people smuggling. That goes hand in hand with strong detection methods to deter trafficking. Those that do arrive, although they are not criminals, should face a thorough investigative process to determine their position, as to their asylum seeking status. I have no problem with deporting those who fail the assessment. The rub is getting someone else to take those you want to deport.

Working to reduce the root causes of the problem in the first place, war, famine, responding to natural disasters better etc would go a long way to allevate the misery. No refugees, no problem.

Have just a trace of humanity, for god's sake. Think.

Paul.

Dear Loudmouth,

I have repeatedly said I would be happy halving our migrant intake and doubling our refugee intake.

I have had the pleasure of assisting a new migrant with his English for a few years. One of the hardest workers I know and still brings me gifts every birthday, Christmas and Easter even though the lessons stopped years ago. I am more than happy to have him as an Aussie and he is very grateful to this nation and its people for giving he and his family a chance. I am about to do the same for another chap. Well worth it if you can find the time.

We are a rich nation so if baffles the hell out of me why we virtually give away citizenships to wealthy Chinese migrants just because they have a few buck yet squabble about the prople who really do need our assistance.

Dear Hasbeen,

Pretty pissweak comeback mate. You are slipping old chap.