EDITORIAL: STOP THE BOATS!
EDITORIAL: STOP THE BOATS!
These last weeks we have seen more refugee boats arriving on our shores, and several sinking. Over 1000 asylum seekers have drowned this half year. All public commentators have been calling upon our Federal politicians to solve the problem and save the lives. They have been responding with speeches and tears but without decisions on what to do. That is because politicians stick to their party line rather than what logic or lobbying tells them. I have seen colleagues I admire make decisions based upon selfish benefit and political advantage rather than Christian principle.
Here are my two ideas. First, find out the facts and refuse to believe the lies told about asylum seekers. I have outlined lies and myths in this article and what the facts are:
http://www.gordonmoyes.com/2009/12/11/australia-and-asylum-seekers-separating-the-myths-from-the-facts
Second, process all asylum seekers onshore in Australia, spread them throughout each state. Increase the number of refugees we will take by 25,000 per year for the next two years. That number will make no difference to our way of life. Realize that every other country faces the same issue of displaced persons and the rate of acceptance in Australia, makes us 14th in the list of receiving countries. Navy and Customs vessels should be on permanent safety patrol.
Third, make the fact finding task force set up by the Prime Minister, a permanent fixture to report to Parliament in two years with a practical program that can receive bipartisan support.