the troubadour

What safe borders exactly? Many of the countries they pass through they are harassed, assaulted, jailed, unsafe....don't know from one day to the next when they may be deported.
Pretty obvious anyone will a little get up and go will try for something better.

the troubadour

Most don't come for welfare though and can't wait to get working.

paulry

And that is the principle of seeking asylum, they don't get to cherry pick the country they go to. That's the rules and those who flout them shouldn't get their way.

paulry

Details?

knockoff nige

I think being able to apply for asylum offshore is a good idea. These people can't do that. But not processing them at all because of the means of their travel is wrong.

Prove that this is because of this government and not the last one. There were fewer boats after the Labour government announced that asylum seekers wouldn't be settled in Australia, but PNG. Sure, this seems to of sifted out many of them. But they are still coming. This government wants to be as secretive as possible about all of this as announcing that they can't stop the boats is suicide. Their three word slogan would make them look like idiots. And that would be two truths revealed.

Also, what queue are you talking about? How do they even get to the back of it?

the troubadour

How is it cherry picking crossing Asia, when most countries are not signatories to UN convention. Crossing Europe is another story, but not generally going to Australia.

the troubadour

Double number to around 25,000 per year, still few in Australia's overall immigration intake with a guaranteed number from Indonesia and Malaysia, which will not be exceeded and plain for all to see those that fulfil the UNHCR requirements are indeed in a queue and time in a waiting facility had be judged by the individual if they wish to remain or not. Any boat arrivals will be returned to await their placing.

old.sparkles

I guess that depends where the refugees are coming from.

the troubadour

Obviously. As most asylum seekers to Australia come from Afghanistan, Iran and Sri Lanka, they came eastwards. Not through any countries signatory to UNHCR laws. In fact many returned Sri Lankan Tamils, came direct by boat. Although of course many were denied legal process and returned.

the troubadour

Not forgetting those that fly in are more often than not granted bridging visas. A different set of rules apply between air and boat arrivals.
No doubt due to the publicity of the boats and the installed fear around the issue.

GarryP

I still think we ought to be able to swap some of the arseh*les for asylum seekers.

Say, if you were found guilty of king hitting someone - not only do you serve your sentence, but you go to the back of the queue of asylum seekers and have to wait for re-admittance in a detention camp. We take someone from the front of the queue when you are put away. They are likely to be more of a benefit to society than the jailed arseh*le.

A whole series of benefits to such a policy....

paulry

This looks like a pointless discussion where different factions of people have long ago framed the argument and solution entirely differently and none are willing to compromise on their set-in-stone positions. Thank goodness the best faction is prevailing!

knockoff nige

Cop out reply. The reason rubbish policies are put into place for things such as this is because it's not simply about the welfare of human beings. Governments and oppositions are arguing about it simply to stay in or gain power. If you have two policies to vote between, you're not likely to have the best option on the table.

paulry

No not at all, I just don't see the point in arguing against entrenched positions until we're all blue in the face.

But tell me, why should Australia and the west bear the burden of the world's conscience?

knockoff nige

I wonder if you wrote that and thought about posting it for a few minutes before hitting the button.

Helping fellow human beings isn't about attending to our guilt. We should help because we have the means to help. Australia and the west waste a disgusting amount of money to give ourselves a very comfortable living. I'm not suggesting that we need to overhaul our principles and beliefs, but we can acknowlegde that we can always do more. I think it's better to try and do that than pretend we're saving lives by putting our hand up and saying 'go away'.

This argument will continue and the best policy won't be considered because of the political agenda that is far more important to power crazy politicians.