Asylum Seekers Crash on Christmas Island

[sails]

Great point. Unless the government does something, the boats will keep on coming.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Solution

Danny, the chart you have inserted is only up to 21 July 2010 and so doesn't include the steady increase since then. The boat arrivals have since exceeded Howard's peak (I posted an article on this at ASF a few weeks ago).

However, the chart clearly shows that the Howard's pacific solution worked. Why on earth labor would want to mess with something that worked so well is beyond me. Unless they are hoping for extra labor votes. It's about the only thing that makes any sense.

There are clearly loopholes in labor's soft border policies that could allow anyone to destroy their papers and be entertained at the expense of taxpayers whether or not they are genuine refugees or not.

 

[sails]

Below is from an article dated 17th Dec, 2010 and so is possibly a reflection of the current situation. It clearly shows the huge increase in boat arrivals with labor's seriously softened border policy.

It is terrible that a tragedy such as this has finally brought the issue back into the media radar. Surely, this should have been addressed months ago as the number of boat arrivals were escalating weekly, highlighting the fact that labor's changes to the Pacific Solution were absolutely not working. This was a preventable accident, IMO.

In 2001, 43 boats carried 5516 asylum-seekers here

In 2002, there was one boat and one asylum-seeker

In 2003, there was one boat carrying 53 people

In 2004, there was one boat carrying 15 people

In 2005, there were four boats carrying 11 people

In 2006, there were six boats carrying 60 people

In 2007, there were five boats carrying 148 people

In 2008, there were seven boats carrying 161 people

In 2009, there were 61 boats carrying 2727 people

So far in 2010, there have been 129 boats carrying 6232 people.

Full story here: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...y-wedge-on-boats/story-e6frg71x-1225972364702
(bolds are mine)

 

[Julia]

Danny, the chart you have inserted is only up to 21 July 2010 and so doesn't include the steady increase since then. The boat arrivals have since exceeded Howard's peak (I posted an article on this at ASF a few weeks ago).

However, the chart clearly shows that the Howard's pacific solution worked. Why on earth labor would want to mess with something that worked so well is beyond me. Unless they are hoping for extra labor votes.

And there you have it, Sails. The government is trying to recapture the votes they lost to the Greens, hence the 'be kind to asylum seekers' stance. Their difficulty is, however, that this philosophy puts offside much of their core voter base which is moving to the Opposition.

She has created for herself an impossible situation with this alliance with the Greens.

 

[sails]

And there you have it, Sails. The government is trying to recapture the votes they lost to the Greens, hence the 'be kind to asylum seekers' stance. Their difficulty is, however, that this philosophy puts offside much of their core voter base which is moving to the Opposition.

She has created for herself an impossible situation with this alliance with the Greens.

And even if the motive is for more labor votes, will there eventually be a new political party which will suit those who do not wish to assimilate and will ultimately move the votes away from labor? Probably no definitive answer at this stage...

One would imagine that A/seekers would continue to vote for labor in the shorter term while it gets them in here. Then they are conveniently paid to multiply courtesy of the Aussie taxpayer.

We all know how minor parties can hold a lot of political clout with a little balance of power.

I would think our policy makers should be studying the effects of certain migrant infiltration in the UK and Europe to see what is really going on instead of looking at the short term vote count. That is, if they really want the best for Australia.

 

[sails]

This is exactly what some of us have suspected and now confirmed by the UN:

Send detainees home, says UN

AUSTRALIA'S immigration detention system is being clogged by growing numbers of rejected asylum seekers who should be sent home, the United Nations refugee agency has warned.

UNHCR regional representative Richard Towle said large numbers of people now coming through the asylum system in Australia were not refugees and ''the challenge is how to find fair and humane and effective ways of allowing them to leave this country to go home''.

(bold and underline is mine)

 

[Julia]

I would think our policy makers should be studying the effects of certain migrant infiltration in the UK and Europe to see what is really going on instead of looking at the short term vote count. That is, if they really want the best for Australia.

Where on earth did you get such a fanciful idea that our politicians are actually motivated by what is best for Australia?
They are simply motivated by their own political aspirations. To consider otherwise is to truly be deluded, Sails.

 

[gav]

This is exactly what some of us have suspected and now confirmed by the UN:

Send detainees home, says UN

(bold and underline is mine)

I can't believe it, for once I actually agree with the UN. Somebody pinch me, I must be dreaming...

 

[sails]

Where on earth did you get such a fanciful idea that our politicians are actually motivated by what is best for Australia?
They are simply motivated by their own political aspirations. To consider otherwise is to truly be deluded, Sails.

Yeah, you are right, Julia. What was I thinking...lol...

 

[trainspotter]

DEFENCE Minister Stephen Smith has ruled out using the military to restore order on Christmas Island after violent protests.

Three times this week, Australian Federal Police have used tear gas to quell protests by up to 300 asylum seekers, angry over delays in processing their claims

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-new...nd/story-e6frfku9-1226024110735#ixzz0iVbYGwZf

 

[breaker]

Imagine if we did it their country

 

[Calliope]

Imagine if we did it their country

At least we now know the solution to the Christmas Island problem. These people will never be law abiding citizens. The should all be returned to their home countries.

 

[Mofra]

Imagine if we did it their country

We wouldn't be locked up - Australia is in the international minority in locking up people without charge.
Pakistan has over 2 million Afghan refugees. We whinge about a few thousand

 

[sails]

At least we now know the solution to the Christmas Island problem. These people will never be law abiding citizens. The should all be returned to their home countries.

I agree. Their very actions of violence show that they are not worthy of citizenship in this country. To burn the facilities provided for them is insane.

On the other hand, the really genuine refugees are generally very grateful for any help they can get. And, sadly, these genuine refugees are made to wait for years in camps while these paperless and violent queue jumpers take their places. Not that saying that all are violent, but the violent ones should not be eligible for citizenship, IMO.

Surely there should be a hard line for those who show such contempt for our country, however, this labor government seems like a tiger without any teeth and seems incapable of any sort of policy unless it's fleecing the people for more taxes, IMO.

Ms Gillard promised prior to the election that EastTimor would be the solution to stop the boats and that there would be no carbon tax in her government. Obviously, with the benefit of hindsight, she had no intention of keeping either of those election promises, but they possibly got her enough votes so she could hobble over the line with a couple of independents who apparently cheated their electorates...

Is there anything about this government that isn't deceitful?

 

[Calliope]

. We whinge about a few thousand

Especially when we get the dregs as this mob obviously is.

 

[sails]

... We whinge about a few thousand

Mofra, if these were peace loving people, there wouldn't be all this anger.

But really, in all honesty, would you want several hundred of these men coming to live in your suburb? Doesn't it bother you that Ms Gillard has plans to place potentially violent people into our communities where families currently live - near our schools possibly endangering our kids???

I think Ms Gillard is running out of all credibility and these issues on Christmas island are only reminding people of her pre election promises that she would stop the boats with East Timor and then did not follow through and, instead, started bringing them to mainland suburbs.

 

[Whiskers]

Mofra, if these were peace loving people, there wouldn't be all this anger.

But really, in all honesty, would you want several hundred of these men coming to live in your suburb? Doesn't it bother you that Ms Gillard has plans to place potentially violent people into our communities where families currently live - near our schools possibly endangering our kids???

I think Ms Gillard is running out of all credibility and these issues on Christmas island are only reminding people of her pre election promises that she would stop the boats with East Timor and then did not follow through and, instead, started bringing them to mainland suburbs.

Yeah, I have to agree.

I have some empathy for refugees generally, but if you or I destroyed buildings and attacked Police like this we'd be charged and likely jailed.

In any case we'd likely have a criminal conviction that would make it very difficult for us to gain entry to some other countries let alone gain employment.

The technique for training dogs and humans is simple; reward good behavior, ignore undesirable behavior, sanction bad behavior promptly and emphatically... ie just as a dog will not respond to training gets put down, humans who refuse to respect Common Law(s) have to have their privileges removed and or incarcerated for the protection of the rest of community.

If those who get violent and destructive are automatically and immediately expelled, the message would soon get around that threats, violence and damage will just get you a swift one way ticket from whence you came. Some will test the limit, but that will just serve as a continuous reminder to them and an efficient way to quickly process and shorten the cue.

 

[Julia]

Imagine if we did it their country

We wouldn't be locked up - Australia is in the international minority in locking up people without charge.

Could you provide some back up to that statement?

Pakistan has over 2 million Afghan refugees. We whinge about a few thousand

The point is rather how rapidly they are increasing in numbers. Of course we in our geographically isolated situation will have fewer than those crossing the porous borders of the northern hemisphere.

My main objection is the fact that the government has admitted that with all the asylum seekers arriving by boat (this number now exceeds those arriving by air), the Dept of Immigration is so busy processing these people that they are unable to process those who have applied for orderly immigration via UNHCR and have often been waiting in camps for several years.

Yet we have these violent people who were attempting to injure police and security staff by throwing rocks and other improvised weapons at them, and you are suggesting they're desirable additions to our community????

Yeah, I have to agree.

I have some empathy for refugees generally, but if you or I destroyed buildings and attacked Police like this we'd be charged and likely jailed.

Mr Bowen has said he is considering whether charges will be laid. However, it's a pretty long bow between making such a comment in a news grab and actually doing it. My bet is that they will get no punishment. And thus, even more people who refuse to apply via the formal channels will be encouraged to come here, where all you have to do is arrive, then if you don't feel you have been admitted to the wider community as quickly as you'd like, then hey, just try to injure some security and police personnel.

I'd like to see them sent back and as soon as possible.

We wouldn't tolerate this sort of nonsense from our own citizens.

 

[Calliope]

Yeah, I have to agree.
I have some empathy for refugees generally, but if you or I destroyed buildings and attacked Police like this we'd be charged and likely jailed.

In any case we'd likely have a criminal conviction that would make it very difficult for us to gain entry to some other countries let alone gain employment.

These rioters are are probably criminals in their own countries. We have enough home-grown criminals without importing other countries misfits.

 

[breaker]

We wouldn't be locked up - Australia is in the international minority in locking up people without charge.
Pakistan has over 2 million Afghan refugees. We whinge about a few thousand

Maybe you could have them round for a barbie

 

[noco]

Maybe you could have them round for a barbie

I say send the bloody lot back to where they came from on a 747 and load up with geniune refugees who enter with correct procedure; passports and ID's.