Gillard’s hands are tied as rioters voice their protest

Jade says:

06:38am | 22/03/11

I really can’t see them rescinding our part in the convention though, no matter how much we need to.

Phil says:

08:00am | 22/03/11

Erick as I said a few times now, simple solution. The government should buy the suburbs that Bob Brown, Adam Brandt, Christine Milne, Sarah Hanson Young along with Julian Burnside reside in, as well as whole streets where the green votes are high and house the asylum seekers in these areas with a no move scenario. Perhaps if as they say a decade would only fill a footy ground, then perhaps if the ghetos like are established in various parts of NSW and the associated crime visited upon them personally they may change their views to what mainstream society expects of its represented officials.

Gillard will never answer a tough question.

Tony of Poorakistan says:

08:07am | 22/03/11

We should have a referendum on whether we want to get out of this archaic and irrelevant UN Convention. 
 
These welfare shoppers and the entire refugee industry are laughing at us and it is about time we took control of the process instead of allowing them to dictate who will come, when and how long they should wait.

Tony of Poorakistan says:

08:10am | 22/03/11

And why does Malcolm Farr keep harping back to Howard? We’ve had two Prime Ministers since then and we should be leaning on the current PM to deal with current problems.

JimW says:

08:39am | 22/03/11

Good point Erick. The suggestion all people all over the world have the right to live free from persecution is not at all in line with our Australian values.
The UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees has been signed by every country in Africa bar three and every country in America (north and south) bar two. South East Asia as a region has very few signatories compared to the rest of the world, so we therefore get a lot of refugees from the Asias and some from the Middle East (although regional signatories such as Iran and Tajikistan get many more, so their refugee camps are horrifically overcrowded and plagued by gangs and disease).
Are you seriously suggesting we withdraw our support for basic human rights because it causes us some inconvenience?

I understand Malcolm Farr’s point that we may not want to bring into our communities people who’ve damaged property or gone to extremes in protest, but we also have to take responsibility for our role in driving them to despair by locking them up in detention centres when, by our signing of the convention, they have broken none of our laws.

john says:

09:25am | 22/03/11

The real problem is Gillard is too proud to accept that the Howard policy on immigration eventually got it right.

Her obstinacy because its a ‘liberal’ policy may see more dramas than just boats sinking & people drowning, riots etc.  Its starting to put Australian citizens in harms way from escapees on Christmas Island.

Obstinacy in the face of obvious is her weakness, and will be her undoing. The liberals just haven’t sniffed that weakness out yet.

Steve of Cornubia says:

09:55am | 22/03/11

There’s nothing to see here folks, except another Labor hack trying to suggest that Gillard’s failure is no worse that something that happened during Howard’s tenure.

Rosie says:

10:04am | 22/03/11

Correct Tony of Poorakistan

I think Mr Farr has to rely on the Howard era because the Gillard Labor Govt have nothing to defend from the Rudd Labor Govt to whom Gillard was the Deputy Leader.

Rudd has said that with the Libya situation, Australia should be prepared for more asylum seekers!

@ Phil - Next thing we know people will be moving out of the surburbs you have mentioned. Lucky for me I live in a surburb where we voted a Liberal candidate in.

fml says:

10:15am | 22/03/11

Right, do we not live next to former prisoners whose crimes are much much worse?

But Asylum seekers are much more horrible, than pedophiles, murderers rapists, armed robbers etc because why?

You dont want to live next to any of those people but you do.

@Jade, we dont need to rescind our part in the convention? cant we do the bare minimum like we have done for the last years? Thats the australian way isnt it? Donate a few dollars here and there via charity then think we are the worlds saviours.

Martin Hopes says:

10:39am | 22/03/11

@ Phil - I agree Phil ‘a simple solution’  if you are a simpleton.

“Gillard will never answer a tough question” - did you even bother to read the article? Would you like Malcolm to spell it out for you? He clearly states why she can’t.

Tony - Malcolm probably refers to Howard because he had the same problems that now face Gillard, there is no ‘simple’ solution to this problem, a bi-partisan approach would be a good start to solving some of the problems, but of course, I’m just a wishful dreamer.

Graeme says:

10:50am | 22/03/11

Tony of Poorakistan - Harping back to Howard is what the Liberals do, They are trying to say that the Government should return to their failed policies. Of those that went to Narau there were few that were rejected. Not really a lot is different under the policies of either party except that the current government is more open with what is happening and the Liberals are more loud mouthed about it.

James1 says:

11:34am | 22/03/11

Phil, we could just send them to live in Cronulla.  If they like assaulting police, rioting and destroying property, and somehow still pass the character test, at least they will be among like-minded folks.

Matt says:

11:49am | 22/03/11

Martin Hopes, Funny how Gillard supporters now call for a bi-partisan approach when Gillard and Rudd blocked and slammed the Howard Government at every turn. They created this problem (with pressure from the Greens and a lot of left leaning journalists and activists) they are responsible for fixing it.

However, if you want to call “reinstating the Howard Government policies that actually worked” a bi-partisan approach, to allow this Government of megalomaniacs to save face when, then so be it. Just do it now before more people get hurt.

Geoff - Brisbane says:

12:02pm | 22/03/11

@ James1 - Well they already walk around in gangs and try to attack those whos job it is to help them (lifesavers are next). You may be onto something there james.

James1 says:

12:48pm | 22/03/11

Everyone wins that way Geoff.  Those who want to act like civilised citizens can, and the ratbags - regardless of whether they flew, grew here or sailed here - can only hurt each other.

Perhaps we could move some people from Alice Springs to Cronulla too…

Michael says:

02:56pm | 22/03/11

“There will be an opportunity for rival parties to promise real changes, which the ALP cannot, having lied far too often to be trusted.”

And who is to say that they wont betray their promises either? At the end of the day politicians, no matter what party they hail from, are all full of shit, and will say anything to the people to get into whatever position of power they hope to aspire too.

Whilst I am glad that I am afforded the opportunity to vote, and live in our democratic society, I honestly feel that my vote is wasted everytime I strike that ballot box.

I can understand how these asylum seekers see our country as a veritable paradise, compared to the oppresion and atrocities they are trying to escape- but if and when they do become citizens with the right to vote, will they feel as disillusioned as me?

Wombat says:

04:03pm | 22/03/11

If the Government can’t find 6 or so escaped Refugies on Chismas Island, which is not very large, what hope wouldl we have if they let them out in the comunity in Australia. SFA

Coundn’t find them. and wouldn’t , because they would be hidden with their so called Relatives, or associats..

Send all that caused the Riot, straight back from whence they came, don’t give a damn what happens to them.

Gregg says:

06:59am | 23/03/11

@JimW,
” Are you seriously suggesting we withdraw our support for basic human rights because it causes us some inconvenience? “
It is fast becoming if not already far past ” some inconvenience “

The reasons that asylum seekers on Xmas Island are there for sdo long is that our government resources are already struggling under weight of numbers to deal with a growing problem.
. DIAC have already been seeking people from other departments.
. Bowen is asking ASIO to speed up security checks and ASIO are recruiting.
All fee paying visa application processing times, especially those where security checks are required and including those for skilled and family visas is being extended.
Nobody is asking what the people smuggling is doing to our humanitarian program and whereas the government is seeking help from charitable organisations for housing asylum seekers when granted visas, their role has normally been for refugees they sponsor from the UNHCR and other organisations.

Given the numbers of border survellance people and now additional AFP on Xmas Island, your some inconvenience is a breakdown of our immigration processes, border protection and an enormous and increasing cost, all brought about because Krudd chose to revoke TPVs.
Krudd’s policy and Gillard’s inaction along with that “some inconvenience” also means that refugees prepared to do the right thing via established UNHCR/Refugee selection processes are are getting a tad more than some inconvenience.
Fortunately, they are not dying at sea which Krudd/Gillard encourage.

Joan says:

06:58am | 22/03/11

Meanwhile as Gillard government wrings its hands, the asylum seekers have the upper hand , tossing molotovs, burning buildings, terrorising locals on Christmas Island… Bowen proudly announces that the latest arrival of 200 asylum seekers will be processed in Broome and Darwin. ..... because Christmas Island is in no condition to receive and process.  The asylum seekers and people smugglers rule the waters, asylum seekers rule Christmas Island and force Bowens hand to process asylum seekers on mainland. Asylum seekers now command by force and rule over the already tattered Gillard asylum seeker policy…. the deadly failed asylum seeker policy which lures asylum seekers and fails to secure Australias borders. A policy with more leaks and patches than any people smuggler boat. The asylum seeker violence on Christmas Island rewarded with on shore processing. Gillard again proves what a total abject failure she is as a PM .

Flexo says:

07:15am | 22/03/11

This is why at the next election when it is time to caste your vote, just think about all the ALP has done and not done. This will inspire you to vote against them. Look at NSW, Labor have been given a million changes to get things right and what have they done? Screw up after screw up after screw up. This is being duplicated at the Federal level.

ClaireP says:

08:15am | 22/03/11

I am beyond sick of this useless Government! I want them GONE! Lying, scheming, wasteful, incompetent fools!

Andrew says:

09:05am | 22/03/11

Vaunted, you state:’ that a significant proportion of the new arrivals disrespect our values and show very little willingness to fit in with our way of life.’ - Question. How did you work that out? Some (repeat) some detainess protest and you tar them all? What would you know about our detention centres and process’s other than slanted media reports? The answer: Nothing you idiot! And since when has it been illegal to charter a fishing boat? Your views are that of too many who sit behind a keyboard and comment but do nothing.
The question not asked, Why have some detainees been detained for over three years???

Vaunted says:

10:03am | 22/03/11

Andrew engaging in personal invective, the time-honoured riposte of the immature and/or naive left. Try to understand sonny, it’s against the law to charter a fishing boat and arrive uninvited in anyone else’s country. As for your other ‘point’, if someone has been in detention for three years under the current unquestionably lax rules. it’s almost certainly because he or she hasn’t been able to convince the relevant authorities that his or her case is genuine, or that he or she is who he or she says he or she is. Under your preferred arrangements, the murderous Marxist Pol Pot could have got himself permanent residency, a house in Adelaide and a pension for life, no questions asked. Am I right or am I right?

Tony of Poorakistan says:

10:28am | 22/03/11

Andrew

they are there for three years because they throw their papers away rather than make the process easy. I don’t know about you, but if someone arrives without papers, i will take as long as it takes to verify they are who they say they are.

fact lover says:

10:32am | 22/03/11

Some facts for you Vaunted:
•First of all, refugees are not illegal immigrants. It has never been illegal in Australia to arrive on shore without a visa seeking asylum. In fact it’s one of the rights within the UN’s declarations on refugees which Australia helped to write.

•When an asylum seeker arrives in Australia, they do not get any Centrelink benefits. While their status is being processed, and if they meet certain criteria, they can be eligible for financial support from the Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme, administered through the Red Cross. This amount is 89% of the basic Centrelink allowance. This means approximately $405.84 per fortnight – over $260 less than a pensioner.

•Once an asylum seeker is recognised as a genuine refugee, after a long and highly scrutinized process, they are given permanent residency and are then entitled to the same Centrelink, schooling and health benefits as anyone else. No more, no less.

•The normal Centrelink welfare payment is $456 per fortnight, for a refugee with permanent residency and an Australian-born person. A pensioner in Australia receives $671.90. Over $200 more each fortnight. Even with family/parenting benefits, a refugee’s benefits would still be less than a pensioner’s income.

•For an asylum seeker to qualify for any payment under the Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme, they must have lodged an application for a visa 6 months before, not be in detention, and not get any other payment or benefit.

•To get a permanent residence as a refugee, the person has to prove they are a genuine refugee fleeing persecution, go through character, security and medical tests, and sign an Australian Values Statement.

•‘Boat people’ are asylum seekers. Refugees are asylum seekers who have been approved and given a visa. None of them are ‘illegal immigrants’.

The above facts come from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the Refugee Council of Australia, and from the Red Cross. A lot more reliable than a random email from a friend of a friend.

Before you make a judgment on asylum seeker policy, know the facts.

Paddy says:

12:07pm | 22/03/11

Fact lover, thank you for the information.
One question that is not answered is: are the people applying for refugee status required to have a passport or identity papers when they arrive.
If not, then what is the process?

Mike says:

01:03pm | 22/03/11

Fact Lover:
It is my understanding that the UN Declaration on Refugees states that “A refugee’s right be be free from penalty is protected by Article 31, on basis of illegality of entry to, or presence at the State if they are means to escape the threat of life or freedom of the person in their territories”.

If I am an Asylum Seeker from anywhere but Indonesia, have I not already escaped the threat to my life or freedom by leaving my own country?

With Visas granted automatically on arrival for all Muslims in Malaysia, and legal protections consequently afforded, why the need to continue on to Australia?

Remember that “escaping persecution” and “seeking a better life” are two very different things. The first is a right granted by the UN declaration, the second is not.

There’s a difference between being a

Wynston Cruso says:

02:58pm | 22/03/11

fact lover - they do not receive any centrelink benefits, sure. They do however, receive free housing, education and health care thanks to charity organisations. Fact.

Bloggs says:

02:40pm | 23/03/11

“First of all, refugees are not illegal immigrants. It has never been illegal in Australia to arrive on shore without a visa seeking asylum. “  This assumes seeking asylum is from people with a genuine need for asylum.  In Australia we assume everyone is genuine and let them all in.  people are sick of this.  Entering the country with no passport and visa is an illegal act.  Seeking asylum is not. The system is supposed to sort out fact from fiction but allows everyone in.  people are sick of this.
“When an asylum seeker arrives in Australia, they do not get any Centrelink benefits. “ You quote benefits they do get – but in Australia in the community they receive benefits well above the pensioner.  This has been well reported.  Housing, money, hardship allowances…. It all adds up to more than a pensioners benefit. Whilst they get these small benefits you talk about they are in detention camps with free accommodation, medical, internet, school service…. This is expensive to the tax payer too.
“Once an asylum seeker is recognised as a genuine refugee, after a long and highly scrutinized process”  Porcess Schmocess… they all get in anyway.  This does not mean they are all genuine, just that the Government is too weak to send them home.
:The normal Centrelink welfare payment is $456 per fortnight,…… over $200 more each fortnight (to a pensioner)”. Even with family/parenting benefits, a refugee’s benefits would still be less than a pensioner’s income.  BS.  Many reported cases of these guys earning much more on the system.  What you say and what the papers report do not match.  Guess who I believe?
“To get a permanent residence as a refugee, the person has to prove they are a genuine refugee fleeing persecution, go through character, security and medical tests, and sign an Australian Values Statement. “ More BS.  Sure they may do this, but how many sign this statement and then fail to live up to the values? What are the values they sign up for?  We have a Queen of Australia, do they sign allegiance to her?  Do they sign allegiance to our religious freedoms?  Specifically?
‘Boat people’ are asylum seekers. Refugees are asylum seekers who have been approved and given a visa. None of them are ‘illegal immigrants’.  few believe this because of the BS associated with the whole thing.  Let’s face it.  They are all granted visas at the end of the day and so many are false – but nay, you say.  BS I say.

“Before you make a judgment on asylum seeker policy, know the facts. “  There are few facts and lots of lies and BS from these people.  They travel past other countries who sign the UN treaty. Why?.  They travel thousands of miles to a country much further away than the nearest 5 countries who have signed the UN Treaty.  Why? .  They travel through other safe countries. Why? They come here because the other UN countries will not give them free money and houses.  They come here instead of next door for the social services we give them.  This is not the actions of a genuine asylum seeker.  You do-gooders have a lot to answer for.

TChong says:

06:31am | 22/03/11

Wow, AtM, virtually word for word post for all stories this am.
As I recommended last week AtM, get the LNP to send you more talking points.
Its gunna be very boring if you mention the royal wedding , every post, between now and the big day.
Besides AtM , your alter ego “Joan”, would be outraged if Gillard didnt attend.

John A Neve says:

07:11am | 22/03/11

A the M,
Do you ever think?
Firstly we have a minister for immigration; this is a problem for him, not the PM.
Secondly, while I am opposed to the monarchy, we are still part of the system. For our PM not to attend would do this country more harm than good.

Thirdly, the refugee problem has been with us for years, no government has been able to stop it. As it is a world wide issue, and in light of the current wars, likely to get worse, I doubt any government will.

Tell me A the M, if the previous government was so good, how come they are still not in power?

Please, please try to think just once in a while.

Joan says:

07:46am | 22/03/11

JNeve…. Bowen no longer runs asylum seeker policy…. the asylum seekers do….. as Bowen surrenders Australid to asylum seeker violence and terrorism of Christmas Island , Bowen will now process 200 asylum seekers in Broome and Darwin…  Bowen has surrendered Australia to molotov throwing violent asylum seekers.  Bowen must resign… he is no longer in charge setting the rules ... the asylum seekers using violence are setting the rules for this weak failed Gillard government. Bowen must go.

Felipe says:

08:59am | 22/03/11

J Neve,  your are wrong that the PM is not responsible because decisions made by this government are rubber stamped by the PM being the boss.  In fact it was this pm who rewrote the policy on immigration for the rudd government.  As far as your question why the Coalition is not in government is because you labor voters were fooled and lied to by this pm in the last election declaring no carbon tax in the government she led.

John A Neve says:

09:10am | 22/03/11

Felipe,
Firstly you assume I am an ALP supporter, silly mistake made by a one eyed person.

Secondly, rubber stamping and decision making are not one and the same.
I doubt there is a person in the whole wide world that could run government on their own. That is why we have ministers.
Sorry Felipe, based on your post maybe you could.

Flexo says:

09:30am | 22/03/11

TChong and John. It seems interesting that you don’t seem to have examples of the great and wonderful things Julia Gillard and the ALP have done through the years to be considered good, efficient and effective government. I mean to say that the refugee problem is too difficult therefore we can’t expect this government to solve it clearly shows that you are a paid ALP spokesperson. The current government needs to find solutions to difficult problems, they cannot keep giving excuses. If the job is too hard than quit. Like ATM said the above mentioned issues are still issues, Gillard needs to stop talking about problems and come up with practical solutions. As for the royal wedding, it shows her hypocrisy, maybe if she believes in the mornachy or marriage or having kids, her presence at the wedding would have some meaning. Right now it justs amplifies the selfish, sad, attention seeking and pathetic Gillard behaviour.

Adam Diver says:

09:59am | 22/03/11

Good answer T chong, the list of credible policy success for the ALP is stunning as usual.

Whilst I do not normally advocate the repeat of post, unless someone other then crazy right wing nuts such as myself answers ATM question, I see no issue in them repeating it. 

Talking about repeating themselves, its nice to see another Farr article summarized as, “the libs did it as well”. Thankfully Labor went to 2 elections claiming to make the same mistakes as the other side, didn’t they?

Rover of North Cooma says:

12:45pm | 22/03/11

Flexo, that’s just absurd. If she didn’t attend the royal wedding, it would be “shock horror Gillard snubs our head of state”.

I don’t know anyone who “believes” in the monarchy. The Queen is not like God, you know. I know many people who believe that a constitutional monarchy is the best system for Australia, and I know many who believe a republic is the ideal. Some of my republican friends are fascinated by the royal wedding, and some of my constitutional monarchist friends are frustrated by the frippery of it.

Are you seriously suggesting that someone who has never married or had their own children has no right to attend a wedding when invited? That simply does not make sense. And it’s completely irrelevant to the topic of boat people.

I declare thee a troll.

John A Neve says:

01:47pm | 22/03/11

Flexo,
You make the same mistake as many others of you ilk. If I don’t agree with you I must support the other side, in you warped mind that’s the ALP.
Believe me, I don’t support them, I think they are about as bad as your lot.

I repeat, there is no solution to the refugee problem in the current world climate, in fact it will only get worse. So tighten your belt Flexo, the worst is yet to come.
Try looking for solutions, give up on the smart ass remarks, that’s if you can?

Against then Man says:

04:24pm | 22/03/11

Well John just because your ALP Gods can’t solve the refugee problem doesn’t mean there is no solution. So there is no solution to the issue of gay marriage, health care just because the ALP can’t solve it?

Guess what buddy you are a ALP zombie, you deny it but you truely are one. And I enjoy making a fool out of you as always.

When Gilltard and co come up with solutions than you have a case for ALP in politics.

Solutions man. Without them the ALP is a car without an engine and so are you HaHA!!!!!!!!!!!

John A Neve says:

06:53pm | 22/03/11

A the M,
Based on the quality of your posts and the language used, I am amazed your parents allow you near a computer.
Now I know it is hard for you, but please try to at least appear grown up.

But it’s good to see you can compose more than one liners, even if it is dribble. Please don’t laugh at the end of your post, children often laugh before they cry and it doesn’t look good.

marley says:

07:22am | 22/03/11

We haven’t signed away our rights to run the country.  We agreed voluntarily to the terms of the Convention, and voluntarily imbedded it in our migration act.  The UN doesn’t decide who we admit to the country, we do.

Unfortunately, at the moment we are managing the process rather badly.

John A Neve says:

07:29am | 22/03/11

Dark Horse,

Rightly or wrongly our international agreements on refugees has been in place for many years. So why now are they a problem?

The answer is the state of world stability, we have poor governments every where. We have people starving, lacking education, being abused, we have conflict all around us. Worse, we have a disproportionate division of wealth and resources.

Dark Horse, don’t worry about our treaties, worry about the state of our world.

eddie says:

01:31pm | 22/03/11

Oh what a great idea dark horse, lets forget natural justice on this subject. Then - when something else turns up that dosent fit in with our prejudices , lets write natural justice out of that too.  In fact lets abolish all these pesky trials for criminal matters here - If the cops say you did it - off to jail you go - no coslty time consuming trial no waffle about guilt or innocence. What a fine place this country would be then. I imagine you would be one of the trogs that I occasionally hear advocating just sinking the boats and letting them drown.

CABAL says:

10:40am | 23/03/11

The planet is fine… The people are F*&cked;

AliceC says:

08:11am | 22/03/11

‘We know they are just leaches, we just cannot prove it. ‘

How do we know this? How many of these ‘leachers’ have you actually met?

fml says:

10:20am | 22/03/11

@stop the BS

Maybe you cannot prove it, because they are not?

In this country you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, but obviously not in your eyes, you dont know what they have done, you dont know them personally, but you will fight to the end to prove they are a leach.

Wynston Cruso says:

02:04pm | 22/03/11

I lived next door at one stage to a family of refugees. 8 of them in total, 3 adult males, 2 adult females and 3 kids. On their first day they had a man help them move the free furniture into their place that they weren’t paying rent for.

They didn’t have jobs, but that didn’t stop them from interfering with my shift work by singing at the top of their lungs 24 hours a day.

Also, if you’re ever in Perth, take a trip to Mirrabooka shopping centre. There are an awful lot of immigrants who, despite being at the shops all day, seem to have money….. to spend at the shops. Curioser and curioser.

James1 says:

02:17pm | 22/03/11

How very inconsiderate of those individuals, Wynston.  Says nothing about any other refugee though, any more than the steady stream of Australians going in and out of methadone clinics means that all Australians are scabbing free drugs of the government.

I can’t help but notice that you don’t seem to be upset about the white and Aboriginal Australians living off government largesse.  Is there a reason for that?

bobw says:

02:23pm | 22/03/11

I can just imagine Wynston hanging around Mirrabooka wearing a trench coat and dark glasses, sniffing out “immigrants” and surreptitiously following them around, making notes on their purchases.

“Huh?  Big Mac meal!  Why, what a lowdown sponge.  Oh hang on.  I don’t believe it.  He’s only gone and upsized it!  This is an outrage!”

Keep up the cutting edge investigative research, Wynston.

Stop the BS says:

02:59pm | 22/03/11

I have met many. I also have family working in the Christmas Island DC. If it walks like a duck and looks like a duck then it is obviously a poor downtrodden refugee running for its life. I stand by my statement of leaches. If their claims were that genuine they would not have to destroy their travel documents before they arrived in the clandestine and sleazy manner that they do. Then to have the hide to complain about how long it takes to process. Try having valid papers you idiots. They can afford mobile phones and people smugglers, but are too stupid to look at a weather map on the internet to see that there is a cyclone near christmas island, then claim the government is responsible.

And just one more point, where do people who come from a war torn impoverished nation that produces 90% of the worlds opium/heroin get the money to pay people smugglers? Oh hang on, I get it now.

Remember the crime waves that came with the boat people in the 70s and 80s. Cabramatta, Springvale- dead junkies everywhere. This new lot will be much the same, I am predicting 5-15 years. I hope you apologists for these people do not have children who will have to face the next round of smack on the streets.

fml says:

04:07pm | 22/03/11

@stop the BS,

They get their money by selling their house, jewelery and other valuables.

Australia has a large lamb exporting industry, do you work with sheep?

Its rather specious reasoning to say just because country x produces x percent of the worlds herion, that everybody in the country has to be a heroin dealer.

Wynston, your a shift worker right? do you work nights and sleep during the day? well technically they are allowed to make noise during the day. If you dont like it, get another job. Your whole neighborhood cant quieten down just because poor wynston can’t sleep, Also, how do you know they received free furniture removal? just a biased guess?

too right bobw,  i am rather curious about wynston, he says he has a job but has all day to follow his neighbors around the shops! curious indeed.

Richard says:

07:44am | 22/03/11

I agree, mandatory detention and off-shore processing policies stink.

But so does the policy of handing out permanent residency to every two-bit country shopper and economic migrant this side east of Palestine.

We are entitled to run our immigration program in our own nation’s best interest, and to accept only those migrants who apply through the department of immigration (before showing up with their hands out) and meet the requirements we deem necessary for entry (skills, language, knowledge of our culture etc.)

We can’t fix the world you know you bleeding heart bastards, and even if we could, it would be by bringing about change endogenously from within the troubled regions of the world themselves, not by perpetuating a permanent open house party for every poor middle eastern pleb and their extended family in the ghettoes of western sydney (funded by Mr. and Mrs. taxpayer).

The Original Oz says:

09:00am | 22/03/11

Alex, as you stated it is “not illegal to seek asylum under either domestic or international law.” But have a good look at the UN Refugee Conventions. The majority oif the people in detention have come into Australia, via Indonesia, in a chartered fishing boat for which they paid up to $10,000 per person,. In the process of getting to Indonesia they passed through multiple countries that are signatories to the convention. Once they passed into and then out of one of these countries they ceased being humanitarian refugees and became economic refugees which Australia has all rights to reject under the Convention. I agree that the processing should be faster - if they have passed through another country that is a signatory to the UN Convention in order to get to Australia then their processing should be straightforward - 24 hours to determine that they are NOT humanitarian refugess but are instead economic country shoppers, immediate deportation order, no appeals.

Felipe says:

09:10am | 22/03/11

I prefer them locked up until their security clearance is checked by the authorities.  Do this people think that by going via the back door that it is going to be easy.  After all they are jumping queues.  Who knows there maybe some terrorist in their midst.  As the rate of boats coming are now almost daily,  this government has lost all credibility in the border protection of Australia.

fml says:

10:26am | 22/03/11

@ the original oz.

Yes there are a number of signatories between the mid east and here, if you knew anything about the region you would understand, That Sunni and shiite muslims are persecuted by the governments of each country, the hazarat are persecuted in afghanistan, Christians are persecuted by most the governments, zoroastrians, bahai’s, people who believe in a democratic process.

The question you should be asking is, name one democratic country between palestine and Australia, whose government does not persecute based on race, gender, or religion? (the people are a different story) you might be able to guess it if you think hard enough.

Nick buick says:

09:10pm | 22/03/11

@FML

“The question you should be asking is, name one democratic country between palestine and Australia, whose government does not persecute based on race, gender, or religion? (the people are a different story) you might be able to guess it if you think hard enough.”

Which is it? One minute Australia’s mandatory detention policies ARE persecuting these people, the next we are the only country NOT persecuting them. Make up your mind, you can’t have it both ways.

jf says:

02:37am | 23/03/11

The thing that I don’t understand about this whole debate is why the left are so eager to advance the cause of people who are typically conservative, generally financially well-off, often former members of oppressive ruling dictatorships and, if not an of the above, simply economic refugees.

What I really don’t understand is why they support these people to the detriment of the genuinely desperate and disenfranchised. The victims of the despotic regimes that many of the above were part of.

Australia should take refugees. Australian taxpayers should be prepared to pay to help those less fortunate both here and overseas.

However, we can only support so many. The more we support economic and lifestyle refugees the less we are able to support genuine refugees.

But that is typical of the left. It’s all about the rhetoric and the chest beating and hang the poor and desperate.

Feralman says:

07:40am | 22/03/11

“If it was Australian citizens doing this damage and causing this much trouble, what would their punishment be?”
......... probably 100 hours community service, a $250 fine and no conviction recorded.

Beck of Kenso says:

07:45am | 22/03/11

If it was Australian citizens doing this damage and causing this much trouble we’d either get a slap on the wrist or be locked up. These people are already locked up, so what are you actually suggesting we should do to them?

Tony of Poorakistan says:

10:39am | 22/03/11

A slap on the wrist for arson? Community service for assault? I wouldn’t think so, not if you are a white Australian male.

Lily J says:

07:44am | 22/03/11

“Do try to keep up Malcolm, Howard hasn’t been PM for quite some while now”......neither has Rudd by my understanding.  He had lost his way apparently.

Ben81 says:

11:59am | 22/03/11

Not to mention the fact that the Howard government actually did something about it.  A few hundred people in immigration detention is better than over 6500 by any measure.

Whistling Jack says:

12:29pm | 22/03/11

This has nothing to do with Howard, nor GIllard.
No Australian government has ever stopped the boats. If you have an issue with the way that Australia processes Asylum seekers, your issue is with the UNHCR treaty of 1951. Deal with the issue.
Until you accept this, you are whistling in the wind.
Same as denying AGW. All political parties in Australia believe that AGW is real except the one nation party. Until you accept this and sit down at the table you are whistling in the wind.
Same as Nuclear energy. No political party supports the introduction of nuclear power.  Until you accept this you are whistling in the wind.

NicoleG says:

12:54pm | 22/03/11

Whistling Jack, er, um…......oh bugger it. Just pass me some of what you’re smoking. By the looks of it, it’s damn good shit.

John A Neve says:

07:44am | 22/03/11

Paul,
I partialy agree, but please tell, how are “Gilliard/Swan” different to most other pollies?

michael j says:

03:03pm | 22/03/11

Seeing as there is no such thing as the ‘DEVIL?) 
YOU MUST MEAN ‘MOLOTOV COCKTAILS’ and ARSONIST
And i certainly hope the AFP were using the MAUL5 delivery
system to deliver their non-lethal bean-bag rounds
support your’e local product,,bet they still HURT
no chain gangs but should be no probs mowing the grass
except the local contractor will go broke and have to live in
POVERTY just like the 1/3 of AUSTRALIAN’S already there,,
better to get them a boat from where they got the last one as
a going away present,,,,,,,,,,

fred says:

08:25pm | 22/03/11

Anna C - MMost of those chaps locked up for months even years would love nothing better than to work instead of being idle, and save money to send to their wives and kids. Our policy seems to forget that in locking up a head of family, a provider, they are seriously damaging the lives of dependents. Criuel, unnecessary, long time damaging.

Matt says:

10:23am | 22/03/11

A portion of Australians became “so cruel, blind and callous” when the Government lost control of our boarders and immigration policy.

The current anarchy on our borders is fuelling a growing hatred among some communities of all people of Middle Eastern descent and/or Muslim faith. Ask any that you know, regardless of how long they’ve lived here. It’s another consequence of the ALP/Greens “more compassionate” policy. Talk about dumb and dumber.

James1 says:

02:25pm | 22/03/11

“The current anarchy on our borders”

Get some perspective.  Have a look at boat people in Italy, and then come and talk.  That should cure you of your hysteria.

And hating all Muslims or Middle Easterners for the actions of some is just stupid.  Do you hate Bob Katter (of Lebanese ancestry)?  Do you hate all Aborigines because of what happens in Redfern or Alice Springs?  Did you hate white Australians after the anarchy in Cronulla?  I think people like you cherry pick such events so as to justify some preconceived notion - in other words, you always hated Muslims, and were just looking for a justification.

Just goes to show, you can find dumb (and mindless hate) on all sides of politics.

Ben81 says:

03:05pm | 22/03/11

That’s Italy’s problem James1, they’re in an entirely different position.  I don’t see how Australia giving up and matching their problems is going to do anything to help refugees.  There’s countries with millions of them, you can count them too if you think just putting them in tent cities is a fair comparison.

Paul - “Not one word about the troubles under Howard mentioned in the article.”
Of course there were troubles, the whole situation was trouble, that’s why he did something about it.  300 people in immigration detention instead of 6500.  Detention centres closing down instead of opening.  People smuggling in our region was dead.  Rudd reversed all of that virtually overnight, and we’re back to square one and the “cruel” situation is back.
After being proven wrong when Howard’s actions worked and proven wrong again when they were reversed certain people still can’t accept that Labor made a big mistake opposing what in the end was a far more humane approach.

James1 says:

03:24pm | 22/03/11

Apologies Ben.  Perhaps I wasn’t clear.  My problem was with the use of the word anarchy as it is hysterical, and does not help the discussion.

Sad Sad Reality says:

03:25pm | 22/03/11

@James1

Any more straw men and you could start a bonfire.

I think it is you who enjoys cherry picking events so you can pretend your reality is somehow different to actual reality.

Cronulla was a beer fueled reaction to the violent bashing of a lifeguard by a gang of Middle Eastern men. The protest was peaceful and made a valid point before alcohol and sentiment saw it get out of hand and become violent. No excuses. Everyone involved should be ashamed. What happened next was much worse. There was a stabbing and many local men and women were beaten with iron bars, punched, kicked and stomped on by gangs of marauding Middle Eastern thugs. Cronulla was a fight started and finished by Middle Eastern criminals. Yet the only people you hold accountable are white. To ignore that reality makes one wonder if you in fact hate white people, James1.

The average Australian is sick of hearing about how Muslims want to transform this country into a third world ghetto.

I am sick of this…

“Addressing an open day at Lakemba Mosque on Saturday, the president of the Australian Islamic Mission, Zachariah Matthews, said parts of sharia could be recognised as a secondary legal system so that Muslims were not forced to act contrary to their beliefs.”

I am sick of having to pretend that I think it’s just fine that people who willingly come to this country knowing it is a liberal democratic society, abuse the freedoms provided by us to fundamentally change the culture of our society. If that makes me a bigot, so be it.

I will vote out any govenrment that supports the recognition of Shariah Law as an alternative to the Laws of Australia. And I know I’m not alone.

Ando says:

04:14pm | 22/03/11

Sad reality,
“I will vote out any governrment that supports the recognition of Shariah Law as an alternative to the Laws of Australia. And I know I’m not alone”

I agree the reality you live in is sad, lucky its imaginary. The Sharia Law Party will never be mainstream. Do you think the people you are arguing against i.e Paul, would vote for Sharia Law.

James1 says:

06:51pm | 22/03/11

SSR,

Once again, your comprehension comes up short.  I condemn the Christmas Island rioters in no uncertain terms below.  I also condemn everyone involved in the Cronulla riots.  Whyever would you assume I am only talking about white people?  Do you really see the whole world in terms of race?  I don’t - race is irrelevant to me.  You should try it sometime.

As for Sharia, I have no problem with Sharia loans, or other unobjectionable aspects.  Sharia law as a substitute for Australian law is another matter though, and I would vote the same way as you.  Seems you are a fan of strawmen yourself.  Maybe that’s why you see them everywhere…

The thing that makes you a bigot is your desire to “eradicate” Muslims and destroy Christianity, but that is a discussion for another day.

Sad Sad Reality says:

08:08pm | 22/03/11

Ando, I bet they said the same thing in England.

James1, you prattle so much BS on this site you can’t even remember your own mindless fabrications.

“Did you hate white Australians after the anarchy in Cronulla?”

Clearly makes the assertion that white people were solely to blame for the Cronulla riots.

“Whyever would you assume I am only talking about white people?”

I don’t know? Maybe because you singled them out. Still racially blind you liar?

“As for Sharia, I have no problem with Sharia loans, or other unobjectionable aspects.”

Thank you. I knew you hated Australia. I just didn’t think you’d make it so easy. Taqiyya strikes again. There it is folks, the thin edge of the wedge.

“The thing that makes you a bigot is your desire to “eradicate” Muslims and destroy Christianity”

I want to “eradicate” Muslims through western education. What a horrible thought. Free them of their 16th century shackles. The elimination of religion is inevitable. I’m just ahead of the curve. If you had any contact with contemporary Australian society you’d see that.

jf says:

02:24am | 23/03/11

James1 says: 06:51pm | 22/03/11

“As for Sharia, I have no problem with Sharia loans, or other unobjectionable aspects.”

Sharia loans are perfectly legal under Australian law as are many other laws and conventions under Sharia law including some of the more objectionable aspects including the suppression of women.

Incidentally, if you have a bit of a look at Sharia loan you’ll find that they are ultimately based on a percentage charge against the principal, simply presented differently for different reasons. I have no issue with this, other than that they are pretending to be something that they are not.

James1 says:

07:11am | 23/03/11

I guess Aborigines are white as well, SSR.  Again, brush up on the comprehension skills, and look into what Sharia loans are as well.  I would be very hesitant to display such a lack of knowledge in a public forum as you do on a regular basis.  How can we possibly debate issues if you clearly have no understanding of said issues?

Sad Sad Reality says:

08:21am | 23/03/11

I point out your hypocrisy and you answer it with more hypocrisy. That’s you in a nutshell James1.

James1 says:

01:01pm | 23/03/11

I point out your failure to actually read what I have written, and you respond with insults.  I can only assume you don’t understand what I have written, or read a couple of words and give up.  That is you in a nutshell, SSR.

James1 says:

01:04pm | 23/03/11

Just realised - I don’t think you know what hypocrisy is, SSR.  I made the point that we shouldn’t hate white people for Cronulla, or Aborigines for Alice Springs, or asylum seekers for what is going on right now.  I then assert that race is irrelevant, and the logical extension of that is that I judge individuals on merit. 

Where is the hypocrisy there?

Catching up says:

11:40am | 22/03/11

These countries are so safe, that our armed forces in one do not wander outside their military camps alone or without backup.  Of course it is a myth they many in the countries they flee from is not safe.  They only imagine their lives are at risk.

If this was true, they would be went back.  Do you really believe this government would not do that if this option was available.

Sad Sad Reality says:

11:55am | 22/03/11

One wonders if the violent streak these “refugees” showcase over here is exactly the reason their nations of origin are war-torn nightmares. No one lives in a vacuum.

Ricky says:

12:06pm | 22/03/11

Jack, you said it all.Well done.

Rover of North Cooma says:

12:51pm | 22/03/11

Jack, your “white Australian” kids and grandkids must be pretty low achievers if they’re trying to get public housing.

Maybe you should have spent more time on their education and job prospects and less time on hating the world, and they’d be in a better position now.

James1 says:

12:54pm | 22/03/11

Your “white Australian children”, as you so elegantly put it (like their colour has any bearing on their perceived right to sponge off the taxpayer) could just get jobs like the rest of us Jack.

Personally, I would rather our public housing went to people who have been through hell (regardless of colour) than some lazy dole bludger raised by someone with such a clear sense of entitlement that they believe they don’t need to support themselves just because they are white and born in Australia.  And lets face it, if you were born and educated in this country, and need public housing, you were never going to own a home in the first place.

Anne_N says:

01:12pm | 22/03/11

@Sad Reality

OR….how many of them would have stayed home and fought for their own freedoms if there wasn’t a U.N. Treaty as an easy out?

True Believer says:

02:55pm | 22/03/11

Now Jack is not someone I would enjoy living next door to.

Matt says:

10:29am | 22/03/11

No we shouldn’t. Nor should we maintain a policy that entices people to arrive uninvited by boat by rewarding them with residency and welfare.

We already know how to stop this. If you arrive by boat you will not get access to our refugee program, you will not get welfare and you will not get permanent residency.

Fred says:

08:46pm | 22/03/11

Any red blooded Aussie bloke would rile against his wrongful imprisonment, as POWs often did and were expected to be defiant, have ago at escape . It amazes me that asylum seekers who have not been charged or sentenced and are not at war, maintain their cool for as long as they do.

But if you are told by your case manager, that they know nothing, and don’t know how long ASIO will take to decide you are not a threat to national security when Immigration has already satisfied themselves that you are neither a criminal nor a war criminal or an army deserter, hope fades, frustration grows and sometimes you errupt and sometimes you curl up and hide or try to kill yourself. Wrongful deprivation of a person’s liberty is a dreadful thing to do. Makes you wonder what it was the ANZACs and subsequent soldiers fought for when we say it was freedom and democracy. What a bitter disappontmen for a survivor of war and persecution to find that Australians do not value freedom. But my friend , a man who wasted three years in Howard’s Pacific Solution (which solved nothing)  corrects me: It is the Australian Government who did this and many Australians who supported the abandoned asylum seekers on Nauru were kind and generous in their help and support.

Not heard and powerless, at a pinnacle of their despair and frustratoion,45 Hazara men put their bodies on the line in December 2003 and refused food and liquids for nearly a month. It was the only thing they could do, as they asked for freedom , not for themselves but for all left abandoned on Nauru. They were prepared to die.
Malcolm, have a look at U tube, Freedom or death by Spencer Elliot and add this to your list of examples of what mandatory detention does to good human beings treated like the criminals they are not.
dete.

Felipe says:

09:21am | 22/03/11

Jen,  these illegal immigrants are given food, lodging, internet and everything for free.  They are being treated very well compared to Australians who are in the streets of Sydney for example begging for money to buy food.  Don’t you think this government’s priority is askew.  If only our taxpayer monies are spent on Australians and not on this queue jumpers who are able to pay thousands of dollars to get to Australia.  They are mostly economic immigrants and not refugees as such.

AdamC says:

09:24am | 22/03/11

Given how disappointed you are, Jen, perhaps you could tell us what you would do differently to resolve this problem? With the magic of self-righteousness, I am sure you could do a much better job!

DJ says:

10:00am | 22/03/11

Jen, if a group of homeless people were pounding on your door looking for accomodation and you graciuosly let some of them in and clothed and fed them, gave them money from your budget and let them have free access to your internet so they could tell their friends about this wonderful person Jen who took them in. How then would you react when the next lot, upon finding all your resources stretched started kicking your fence down and set fire to your car and when that didn’t work they assaulted you and your family. Jen, you better seek attention quickly, your heart is bleeding far too much.

Anna C says:

10:00am | 22/03/11

Jen, what would happen if all 20 Million refugees world-wide decided they wanted to come and live in Australia as well? Would you still have so much compassion then? We are already spending over 1 billion dollars on these people as it is.

You need to understand that we are seen as a soft-touch internationally by people smugglers and ‘country shoppers.’ I read today that while asylum seekers arriving in places like Canada have fallen over the past year, those arriving here have increased. This proves that the Government’s line, that increasing boat arrivals is somehow tied to world events beyond their control, is rubbish. This Government’s policies are directly responsible for the increase in boat arrivals; end of story. 

While I understand your disapointment In Australia with it’s supposed lack of compassion, you need to understand that we are only a small country who already takes in many refugees and provides lots of foreign aid. We are not responsible for all the ills of the world nor are we responsbile for solving them. You should be proud of the contribution that we already making rather than on lecturing us about how horrible we are to refugees.  I suppose there is no satisfying some people; you are obviously a glass half empty person.

James1 says:

11:40am | 22/03/11

I know a woman who was interned in Villawood during the troubles mentioned in the article.  Her daughter was born there.  She was appalled by her fellow inmates, as to her Villawood was orders of magnitude better than the refugee camp in Iran where she had spent the previous four years.  She spent more than two years in Villawood before being granted permanent residency, yet was still grateful for what she had there.

No matter how hard or soft you may be on this issue, it is very, very difficult to defend such behaviour as we are seeing now, and I am yet to see a cogent defence.

Elphaba says:

12:47pm | 22/03/11

@James1, that’s exactly right.  I am all for people having the opportunity to come here for a better life, but we need to think about what a better life entails.  Throwing open the floodgates and allowing everyone in is not the solution, because it creates a strain on resources and services, and then they’ve come to a place that might be no better than what they left.  How can we, as Australians, sell ourselves as a lucky country if an influx in immigration means that we can’t provide for the population?

There is no defense for this kind of behaviour.  None whatsoever.  And it should be taken into account when they are being processed.  Bad behaviour equals a one-way ticket outta here.  And if there application is denied, don’t dick about.  24 hours, on the next plane - not languishing for weeks in a centre.

How is your little one doing James?

James1 says:

01:26pm | 22/03/11

Discharged today, after final surgery yesterday morning.  There will be more surgery in future to remove the various wires and pins holding her bones together, but she is up and about and healthy.  That kid is surprisingly tough - she took the week in hospital far better than I did. And thanks for asking.

On topic, some of you may remember me as being reasonably pro-asylum seeker, despite my conservative leanings, but I agree - this behaviour is indefensible.  I can’t help but note that my fellow “soft on asylum seeker” types posting above don’t even attempt to offer a defence of it, and instead resort to blandishments about compassion.  I really hope that the character test is robust enough to deal with these trouble makers, as this kind of behaviour gives the other asylum seekers an undeserved bad name.

Elphaba says:

03:03pm | 22/03/11

That’s great to hear James.    Yep, kids are surprisingly resilient.  She’s got a good story for show and tell, that’s for sure.

It’s interesting on the compassion thing - some people have posted about how horrible it must be etc and how can they be held accountable for how they acted?  Simple - by acting like human beings and not animals.  Yes, it’s awful that they’ve suffered and come from war-torn regions, but last time I checked it didn’t give them carte blanche to act like - well, like the dominators they left behind.  It’s like trying to have a measured debate on why you simply can’t just open up the borders and let everyone come in with no processing, no visas, no checking.  You get branded a racist by the ideological fuzzies.

No wonder our government can’t get it right, with all the obfuscation going on…

James1 says:

03:21pm | 22/03/11

I guess meaningless appeals to use our compassion to overlook criminal behaviour that is unacceptable in any community is all they have, Elphaba.

Just wait until Marilyn weighs in.  I’m sure she’ll have some more “robust” arguments.

Elphaba says:

03:36pm | 22/03/11

Hahaha true!  She should have voiced something by now…

NicoleG says:

04:03pm | 22/03/11

James Elphaba, lets have a bet. My five bucks says she’ll call everyone morons five times, cowards three times and chuck in at least two f#$%s. How about you two?

The Badger says:

07:18pm | 22/03/11

I think she is MarK’s doppelganger in a parallel universe.

Elphaba says:

07:49pm | 22/03/11

@NicoleG, I’ll take that bet.  I bet she’s a no show.

Rick says:

11:02am | 22/03/11

Only a true democratic system a la Switzerland in which only the people as whole are sovereign can stop what you wish.

In a meantime enjoy be irrelevant.

Steve says:

12:45pm | 22/03/11

We have had a referendum. It was the federal election just last year. To retain the soft refugee policy is the only preelection promise that Gillard has kept.

Rick says:

07:00am | 23/03/11

@Steve

Is voting a referendum ?
Is voting means signing a blank cheque ?
Will you sign me a blank cheque ?

Rover of North Cooma says:

03:00pm | 22/03/11

I think we should keep Mark Schwarzer in goal and not rely on some untested asylum seeker.

JudyG says:

12:55pm | 22/03/11

Absolutely 100% spot on Aussie Wazza - and don’t forget the mobile phones and internet access. Most of you bleeding hearts commenting here have absolutely no idea of what you are talking about. You sit in your comfortable homes, pontificating about how cruel people are who object to what is happening. You seriously need to work with these people to know what the real deal is - I believe SERCO is short staffed in many of the centres around Australia, perhaps you can go and work for them. Then you will find out just how much contempt they hold the Australian public/government in and what a joke we are to the people smugglers. Most of the people in detention will have their money stored back in their homelands to be called on when they are established in their Government housing and getting benefits from Centrelink. What I don’t understand is why you bleeding hearts don’t make a connection between the destruction of their documents and the amount of time spent in detention - why do they do it? Maybe they have something to hide! Do I want to live next door to them - don’t actually have a problem with that providing they don’t expect me to observe in any way their beliefs. Why not ask the girl at Glenelg beach (Adelaide) what she thought of being spat on by a male detainee from Inverbrackie (on an outing) because she was wearing a bikini and sarong! Most of you bleeding hearts are so sanctimonious it makes me sick. I do not believe you actually feel that way, it just looks good.

Tony of Poorakistan says:

02:21pm | 22/03/11

JudyG

Do you have a link for that? I Don’t disbelieve you, since it does happen and that is the sort of thing that led to the Cronulla incident, but I’d like to read it myself.

James1 says:

03:09pm | 22/03/11

A (genuine as always) question Tony:

While I understand how it may have motivated the Cronulla rioters, do you see it as justifying the rioters?

My perspective is that such behaviour is never justified, whether on Christmas Island or in Cronulla.

Steve says:

01:16pm | 22/03/11

You will be waiting a long time. An admission of gross error on this issue would consign them to political irrelevance for a generation. They will continue to perpetuate the lie. For many this issue provides the high moral ground that they crave. The facts are not important it could be anything just give them a high moral position. They were communists in the 30’s, appeasers in 1939 and today they are greens.

Sammy says:

01:53pm | 22/03/11

So you have convinced your self that “Temporary Protection Visas” was the reason people did not try to come to Australia as often. It wasn’t push factors like the civil war in Sri Lanka. Numbers of Asylum seekers are up all over the world. Coincidence?

The Drover says:

03:45pm | 22/03/11

Sammy, the civil war in Sri Lanka had been raging for about 25 years and we had no asylum seekers turning up in boats during all that time, all of a sudden it ended, with the defeat of the Tamil Tigers, which happened at the same time as the Great Leader Rudds decision to weaken our border protection laws. Boat loads soon started to descend, even some one with your obviously low powers of perception should be able to work that one out.

Sammy says:

04:16pm | 22/03/11

Drover
Sorry, when did it get serious and when was the end of the Sri Lankan civil war?
I’ll give you a hint. The Tamil Tigers were defeated in May 2009.

The Indian government figures, as of 1 November 2010, there are 70,354 Sri Lankan refugees living in 112 camps in Tamil Nadu and 32,467 living outside the camps. In total there are 146,098 Sri Lankan registered refugees in 64 countries including India, France, Canada, Germany, UK, Switzerland, Malaysia, Australia, the United States and Italy
What was it you were saying Drover?
More conservative disinformation easily refuted.

David says:

09:25am | 23/03/11

Sammy, if you are still reading this, I suggest you go and read your recent history as well, Find out where the asylum seekers were coming from (it might surprise you), how they came and why.  TPVs worked very well. Yes people still sought asylum but they did not try to migrate to Australia through the back door - a very different activity.

Sammy says:

11:58am | 23/03/11

If you say so David,
Thanks for the links that support your assertions..

JudyG says:

02:46pm | 22/03/11

Well POA maybe you should have been there and gone in and had a nice little chat with them - God what a pillock you are, they were RIOTING, not have a frigging picnic! Just what would you have done! Have you even given a second thought to the poor suckers who work there. THEIR lives were in danger too! All you appear to be worried about is the stupid political parties - this whole issue goes further than that!

poa says:

03:15pm | 22/03/11

Excellent Judy.
The trick is not to have there in the1st place. As Howard did.
With offshore processing and TPV’s.
(Once the Rudd/Gillard governments stopped that it was open slather again).
Don’t blame the correctional people and the AFP for doing whatever to stop them rioting ....Superstrength teargas is pretty good.
Malcom and the congaline Left journalists’s silence and spin on the use of LLA is shameful.
A quick internet check would suggest 1 inmate with broken leg, (where LLAshould be aimed) and 1 with chest injuries. gee..how close was that to a death?
Just the hypocricy of Leftie media in selectively telling us part of the story when you know how they’d spin it if the Coalition was in power.
Wha is it with the Left and Hypocricy?
What is it with the Left and abuse for that matter?
Guess its all they’ve got.

TCB 24 X 7 says:

03:06pm | 22/03/11

Hey Vic,
has it ever occurred to you and other fools that these people may not be refugees but rather opportunists, seeking illegal entry to Aust.

James1 says:

03:06pm | 22/03/11

Are you saying we shouldn’t demonise rioters?  I have no problem at all with calling a criminal a criminal, whether they are rioting in Cronulla or on Christmas Island.  No matter what is happening, in a country like Australia there is no excuse for rioting and other associated criminal behaviour.  In a democracy, violence is never the answer, whether your perceived injustice is a lifeguard getting assaulted (I still laugh when people posit this as a reasonable excuse for rioting) or being locked up while your bona fides are checked when claiming asylum through irregular means.

This is a very poor defence of indefensible behaviour.

Dann Da Mann says:

03:57pm | 22/03/11

Hey Vic, get your head out of where the sun doesn’t shine.These people deliberately destroyed their ID! They paid CRIMINALS to ILLEGALY arrive here,you are the braindead bigot if you cannot wise up to these people. Do you actually believe Austraia can afford to give these illegals welfare payments from my taxes and your taxes.  I have the commonsense idea dude and it is a shame we have useless people like you living here to assist in destroying this once peaceful,beautiful country with your blockhead attitude. Think Australia dude!

Winchester says:

04:39pm | 22/03/11

Spot on regarding Tamils. There is a fine line between terrorists and freedom loving civil war combatants. I come down on them being terrorists who waged a 20 year campaign because they couldn’t accept rule from the bigger population of Singhalese. (Is that racism?) Also why come to Australia when a 50 mile ocean crossing gets you to the Indian state of Tamil Nadu - translates as home of the Tamils.

Sammy says:

05:25pm | 22/03/11

I agree with the Tamil comment, send them back to face justice. They brought this upon themselves.
I disagree with the Afghani’s. I don’t remember them asking the coalition to bomb the shit out of their country and make put them in the middle of a god awful shit fight not of their making.

TCB 24 X 7 says:

04:37pm | 22/03/11

RitaI I think you and others are wrong, dont forget these people have paid smugglers and crossed 2 to 3 countries to get here.
They are not refugees , but Opportunists through which labors failed Border Protection Policy,  are Taking Advantage of And are fully informed about our Welfare System.

The Badger says:

06:02pm | 22/03/11

The Badger is everywhere. He’s been commenting on this very article many times.
Can you guess who he was?

Bloggs says:

03:14pm | 23/03/11

Damn, and I was so looking forward to seeing the landscape transformed with crescent topped domes of worship, too!

It is tiem to get on Allah’s good side.  He drives a lot of decisions in the Australian Government these days!

Sammy says:

12:03am | 23/03/11

This is really quite funny.
A conservative saying - Think about the poor asylum seekers.
Then reverting to type with their well fed, fit and full of fight.
They will bring us Disease and Terror .
All this from a guy named Hicks
What a hoot!

Bloggs says:

03:18pm | 23/03/11

Ah, naievity at it’s best.  Australian who support this lot are so naive.

Look into the Islamic problems in France, Denmark, UK, etc.  That is where we are headed by bringing all these people in here. It’s a very bad situation we are making for ourselves.

That’s the root cause of the problems.

Libby says:

09:45pm | 23/03/11

Ahh Bloggs, thank you very much for proving my point.

And its not naivete, its idealism.

Steve says:

11:42am | 23/03/11

We wouldn’t do that because Rudd would not get his seat on the UN security council