And there are many reasons why Vietnamese boat people arrived much later than the fall of Saigon.

The "re-education" of bourgeouise running dogs took a few years, therefore, many of them were placed in concentration camps for some time after liberation.

Secondly, relatives and family members would be detained for each person escaping. This is a big reason for people staying where they are - anywhere - and in Vietnam, it took many years for this practice to relax.

Thirdly, it wasn't a quick process to get on a boat and get out of there. Many people had to integrate into the coastal villages for months or years until a boat was available and the time was right.

Fourthly, it cost money. Only people with gold, gems or US dollars could get out. This might need to be collected from many extended family members, or family goods might need to be sold.

All these things took time - boat arrivals from Vietnam spiked around 1980.

skippy. wrote on Dec 16^th, 2010 at 10:22am:


You are confusing taking in refugees, with accepting ones who arrive here by boat.

How do you think those in camps around the world waiting to be placed feel knowing had they skipped the process and just continued making their way by boat or plane they would be given priority.

It annoys me because they are queue jumpers.  Thousands are waiting for placement yet we seem to give preference to those already here and thats bull.

Dnarever wrote on Dec 16^th, 2010 at 11:21am:


Good, you might like to remember that even the Howard government took in 13,000 refugees in the year he put the criminal people smugglers out of business.
1 boat in 2 years, 5 detainees on Nauru and closed down mainland detention centres and yet we still took in 13,000 people.
This just demonstrates this issue is not about refugees, it's about the government not sponsoring foreign criminal smuggling gangs and their associated misery that comes with them.

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how so? over 98% of those who arrive by boat are accepted into Australia as refugees, and have been for decades.

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you infer some sort of orderly line exists, it does not, when people are fleeing for their lives they take whatever action is necessary to survive, if it ever happens to you, you'll be the first to whine if you manage to make it to a safe haven but then are moved on as you dont suit the criteria of some people in that country who dont want you there.

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Yes a nice little dity that grew  during the Howard years of xenophobia, people like you disgust me, I hope you are displaced one day so as you can see how it feels, go and sit in a camp in indonesia and see how you like it.

Remind us skippy why these people are our problem?

What the bugger have Iranians got to do with us??

He was from Sri Lanka.

They are from Sri Lanka.

They are his people.

Like I said, I'd take his opinion over yours. You grew up there did you?

Miss Anne Dryst wrote on Dec 16^th, 2010 at 12:25pm:


Yes, it clearly demonstrates the governments failure in removing a working policy with a failed one.
And then to compound the error, wait until the issue is out of hand before doing 'something'.
So far, that 'something' has been alot of talk with no action.
All this government does is reinforce failure.
And history has shown us that the reinforcement of failure doesn't work on the battlefield, nor in business, nor in life.
So I'm stuffed if I know why this government is sponsoring this stupidity.

skippy. wrote on Dec 16^th, 2010 at 12:33pm:


Another really helpful well thought-out comment.

Remind us again why you think we should take in thousands of shoe shiners?
Are you going to house any on your farm?