____ wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 6:36pm:

My largest problem with this is that it still doesn't address the issue of the asylum seekers stuck in Indonesia without a legal framework. Yes, I want to see a regional solution that tackles this.  And yes I think given 42 million people were displace last year we as Australia must do more than our measly 20,000.  In fact I think the ultimate solution is that the refugee convention should be rewritten to allow the UNHCR to set the targets, and not the host country. For its obvious no one is doing enough. 

But when it comes to the issue of "boat people." is this solution better than turning boats around?  Yes, and the reason is that if asylum seekers still get onto a boat, at least they'll end up in a country which is a signatory, and not back in Indonesia where they are stuck to no end.  And will the asylum seeker be safe from harm in png?  According to them being a signatory, the answer is yes, they will be safer than in their country of origin or a transit like indonesia.

And on top of that, the incentive of Australia is gone.  So the idea that people would risk their lives at sea and we see more deaths is minimised.

Do I think it's a great solution?  No, for it misses the mark on Indonesia.  Do I think it's better than tuning boats back?  F*ck yes!!  And don't forget that the regional talks are still to come, so I'm sure this isn't the full and complete policy on asylum seekers.

And as for the greens; the argument for onshore detention or for simply letting people get on a boat via people smugglers has shown that this is the inhumane policy. With 42 million displaced people, an orderly process must exist to help as many a possible, and to stop the unnecessary death.  Does Rudds policy hit the mark?  No, but it's sure better than the liberals true hard right policy, and the greens blinkering over the issue. 

Instead the greens could be advocating for an increase in the "quota" and could be advocating for better work overseas in the problem area or with transit nations.  Instead you seem to think people dying while trying to escape persecution is ok.

So please don't tell me that my moral compass isn't there for my moral compass
tells me > 1000 deaths at sea is not something I want to see happen. 

What a deal KRudd has struck with Papua New Guinea.

In one fell swoop he has stopped the boats.

The question that hangs in the air like a turd in a chamber pot; is how much this is going to cost the Australian taxpayer.

Believe me when I tell you that the 12 billion spent by Labor in the last 4 years will pale into insignificance compared to what we will have to shell out to keep Papua's Government onside with this cosy arrangement.

I hope the Liberals hammer Labor on the financial side of the deal because it is going to cost us MEGA BUCKS.

red baron wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 7:05pm:


How much mr baron sir?  Is that the secret you're holding onto?  Yesterday you were upset that asylum seekers apparently get a golden handshake.  Today you're upset they won't be arrivin in Australia by boat anymore.

Less being a hypocrite mr baron sir, and less speculating.  If boats stop, how much will it cost?  You're asking, surely you know better than the libs who've ignored to ask the same thing.

As above all, would you prefer out navy gets into danger turning boats back, or spend time trying to rescue people who scuttle boats?  Is that what you want?

____ wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 5:52pm:


no.. now is the time that your pea brain recalls why the Liberal Party dumped Turnbull in the first place...

THE Coalition and Malcolm Turnbull have received a devastating blow from the OzCar affair, with 53 per cent of voters saying they have a less favourable impression of the Opposition Leader as a result of it.

Mr Turnbull's approval rating has plunged a massive 11 points while disapproval soared by 13 points in the Age/Nielsen poll taken on Thursday to Saturday. The Coalition's two-party vote has slumped five points since May in the wake of Mr Turnbull's call for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's resignation, which backfired spectacularly.

The ALP now leads the Coalition 58 per cent to 42 per cent on a two-party basis, wiping out the Opposition's recent gains.

Mr Turnbull's disapproval rating is now at 60 per cent

every time some nincompoop says "bring back Turnbull" I feel like punching them square in their stupid face...

they got rid of him for a reason..

not rocket surgery... 

Soren wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 6:08pm:


Yes, but you’re referring to the white Kraut ones, old chap. Like yourself.

These are the tinted races we’re talking about.

Mind you, it is strange that you never mentioned the application issue before. Do boat people apply to spend 5 years in Nauru or Manus Island?

Shurely shome mishtake.

Peter Freedman wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 7:17pm:


Correct.  But.......it is a strong front line deterrent to the people smugglers.  They no longer can sell Australia as the first destination to anyone who wants to get on a crappy boat to sail the high seas.  Once the rich Iranians learn that they will be sent to that idyllic paradise at Manus, you can bet they'll be lining up to drown their kids to get there.

Innocent bystander wrote on Jul 19^th, 2013 at 5:48pm:


A bit like a con man who creates a problem then offers to fix it?

I wonder what this is going to cost, when Howard stopped the boats the entire pacific solution only cost $289 million which was a bargain compared to the con men running the place today.