What is the point of processing people offshore? This won't solve the problem of refugees choosing to get in a boat and head for Australia. A delay has helped. It has put off some from applying. For them, going home seems to be the only choice.
The goal should be getting the message through to Afghans, Tamils and Africans that Australia will not take over a certain number of refugees each year. Northern European countries are doing this. They are ignoring calls from Mediterranean countries who are being flooded by new arrivals for other nations to take some. Southern countries have certainly got the message even if refugees haven't. The Australian Government should be strong enough even if it upsets the UN to make a yearly refugee limit. After all, this is what used to be done by all countries in regard to people who wanted to stay.
Something new is needed. It is ironic how similar Julia Gillard's Timor solution is to John Howard's Pacific solution. And that didn't work. The number of new arrivals actually increased with temporary visas. Many who were given money to go home returned a year later.
The election is an opportunity for a bold party to say that is enough, and to put up the barriers. When the limit is reached and announced to the world the influx will cease.
The goal should be getting the message through to Afghans, Tamils and Africans that Australia will not take over a certain number of refugees each year. Northern European countries are doing this. They are ignoring calls from Mediterranean countries who are being flooded by new arrivals for other nations to take some. Southern countries have certainly got the message even if refugees haven't. The Australian Government should be strong enough even if it upsets the UN to make a yearly refugee limit. After all, this is what used to be done by all countries in regard to people who wanted to stay.
Something new is needed. It is ironic how similar Julia Gillard's Timor solution is to John Howard's Pacific solution. And that didn't work. The number of new arrivals actually increased with temporary visas. Many who were given money to go home returned a year later.
The election is an opportunity for a bold party to say that is enough, and to put up the barriers. When the limit is reached and announced to the world the influx will cease.
