Originally Posted by walla1

Australia doesn't have a particular good record on illegal imigration or asylum seekers. Does anyone recall the Tampa crisis back in 2001?

Originally Posted by Sunlover

"End of problem" for whom exactly ? The poor family members who were legally living in Australia and had to go back to living in China ?? I suspect that would have been the beginning of their problems !

-She came to Australia to visit her family as she had no family left in China.
-Tried to go back but was prevented to by the airlines as she was too old.
-Family tried to apply for an aged relative visa
-Visa refused
-Women became an "illegal" immigrant

Please explain why any of this was her or her family's fault ?

Australia's immigration laws with regard to parents are ridiculous and counter-productive:

In Canada people are encouraged to sponsor their parents and reunite their families, the view being that strong families produce happier, more productive skilled immigrants who are more likely to stay in Canada and contribute to her economy.

Australia takes the short-sighted selfish approach - if you're not of working age we don't want you.

Guess who has the stronger economy and the greater retention of skilled immigrants ? Not Australia......

Originally Posted by renth

It's got the best record in the world, taking 600,000 assylum seekers since the war, concentrating on the UN refugee program, the people who cannot afford to pay people smugglers. Unlike like the people on the Tampa.

Originally Posted by Sunlover

In Canada people are encouraged to sponsor their parents and reunite their families, the view being that strong families produce happier, more productive skilled immigrants who are more likely to stay in Canada and contribute to her economy.

Australia takes the short-sighted selfish approach - if you're not of working age we don't want you.

Originally Posted by JackTheLad

That's a very good point. Never thought of it from this angle.

Another advantage of having grandparents here is that they can help babysit sometimes (not all the time, in case our parent are reading). For many families that could mean both parents can work full-time, pay more tax, and in a way paying back to the system. We don't have any children yet, but if and when we do, I'm thinking of not working not working for the first few years, because our parents are all very far away from us. But if our parents were to move here, I would have the choice to continue working full-time or at least part-time if we had kids.

Oops that was a bit off topic...

Cheers,
Mrs JTL

Originally Posted by jwatsonoz

This really pisses me off. Why don't the media get there story straight! When you read the letter that the department sent her you realise how helpful they were being.

I think they were going beyond their duties by explaining the different routes available to her. The almost suggested that allowing allowing the application to fail in and, therefore, the minister to make the decision would be the best option. They did obviousley have to state the risks.

Australian media is crap. They sensationalise everything and even drop in their own opinions! Media coverage should be objective and not specifically designed to whip up froth.

Originally Posted by renth

It's got the best record in the world, taking 600,000 assylum seekers since the war, concentrating on the UN refugee program, the people who cannot afford to pay people smugglers. Unlike like the people on the Tampa.

Originally Posted by walla1

That may be so, however I was alluding to the treatment of the people on the Tampa, off Australian waters and the failure of the Australian government to take emergency action.

True, there were people on board who weren't genuine refugees but there were some who were genuinely fleeing persecution particularly from the Taliban.....

Ironicly the whole crisis got Howard back into office for his third term.

Originally Posted by mr mover

Australia is probably . the last country on earth {western] where the word W.A.S.P. has any conectations, and we like it that way............... MM

Originally Posted by mr mover

Australia is probably . the last country on earth {western] where the word W.A.S.P. has any conectations, and we like it that way............... MM

Originally Posted by JackTheLad

Western

How far east can you get? Another couple of thousand miles and we hit the dateline.

This country isn't western, its part of the far east, as we are gradually starting to realise.

Cheers,
JTL

Oh and whats 'conectations'? Do you mean connections or connotations? Or have you invented a mix of the two?

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

Thats got to qualify as the dumbest post of the year, Congratulations, may use it in my signature.

Dont you dare move to Victoria you dumb ba...dard !!!

Originally Posted by mr mover

WAKE up sunshine get out of Melbourne ,and talk to the real Australians, and you will realise, i am only saying what most true Aussies are thinking, remember you have only been here 5 mins. mm

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

22 years + actually, lol, Keep those crosses burning with your ayran brothers whilst you kneel at the shrine of good old enoch !

I really hope your not indicitive of what the West is about !