I think most of them are economic refugees. Real refugees don't have $10k per head. That aside, interesting that in the latest news, a whole bunch of them opted to go back to Sri Lanka rather than go to Nauru. Now, I'm just guessing, but if you're at risk of persecution and you're offered a chance to go stay somewhere free from persecution in less than ideal conditions, wouldn't you opt for the less than idea conditions?
^ Why wouldn't they have that kind of money? Refugees can be wealthy professionals too. Doctors, business owners, architects, politicians. $5K isn't an incredible sum.
A 5 star trip? Are you for real?
Always amazes me how ignorant the world is about the rest of the world. I've had German associates come here and are genuinely amazed that we have a society way down here. Modern lives. I've got older in-laws that honestly think in Australia we live in a bush shack with no running water.
I simply base my assumption on the refugees that have come via boat???
That is they had the money and have been determined to be legit refugees.
So what are we saying here? "I'm sorry, you're too rich to be a refugee?" Really? "All the refugees I've seen on TV are starving and have flies all over them. You don't appear very legitimate."
I suggest you visit a refugee camp mate and watch a bit less TV.
Most people in refugee camps don't care about what country they end up in as long as it's save and they can provide for their families, go to uni, find work etc.
But there is the other side of the coin, people risking their lives on boats to get to a over-promised country (Australia, if you don't get my sarcasm), and do that by any means. If you have been granted refugee status in one country, then it is very unlikely you will receive refugee status in another, or you are not really being persecuted and don't have any other means to get a visa in Oz. Aeroplane with legit passport and refugee visa application would be safer and cheaper, however in these cases that wont work. So you jump on the boat to get to Australia or Europe.
I agree with you that the amount of refugees the end up in Australia is nothing compared to the amount that Europe receives and our government should make a bit more effort in trying to assimilate many refugees and there are many more issues associated with that.
But the fact that hundreds of people (including kids) have died this year alone trying to make it from a safe country such as Indonesia to Australia is a tragedy. Trying to stop "Boat People" as we like to call them is in my opinion not about stopping refugees, its about stopping the tragic loss of life when there are safer ways to come to our shores and get a assessment on legit refugee status.
hmmm then instead of spending billions on stopping/accommodating refugees perhaps using the money providing a safer haven at the point of origin and making sure there would be money better spent? Dealing with the issue instead of investing money to patch the loophole created by "human rights" considerations that created a situation where people are encouraged to take drastic measures such as putting their lives at risk on a boat.
I'm not Australian but my opinion is (based on my european outlook on such matters) that if words come out that if you hop into a boat you have a chance for a better life then people will come, hence a policy of no acceptance and losing right to claim if illegally entering the country would stop the boat: my understanding is that this was the way before and it worked, lead to some tragedies and then was repelled and now you have thousands boarding boats every week.
There are plenty real refugees that do face repression and death threats in their own countries and there is no disregarding the fact that it is impossible to ignore and not be emotionally involved with their plight but displacement of populations is not the solution either, it makes extremism rise in the hosts countries (out of ignorance sure) and creates unrest and fear in the civilian population creating reactionary polls that lead to a radicalization in the urns... usually pretty bad things happen then...
The most humane thing to do (I believe) is having a strong legislation that make you ineligible to refugee status if you enter illegally (if you have a visa and fail its terms in this country it's what happens to you by the way) BUT then a whole array of partnerships with countries where immigration comes from to guarantee protection of claimers. Funding of NGOs with the purpose of protecting, sorting, evaluating and help rebuild, relocate, disarm or whatever is required to help a population settle again.
The worst is that this boat issue arises because of the weak legislation created by human rights concerns that in the end puts humans at risks. It is not racist, backwards, inhumane to stop people entering this country illegally by setting rules which in the end protect people from smugglers. These guys are a mafia, they use and abuse poor desperate people to enrich themselves (not speaking about those poor fishermen that drive the boats but the ring leaders) and are usually untouchable.
I want to highlight the problem of legislation being morally right but stupid with another example from Europe: Prostitution. I'm against it, never used it but... In France it's illegal because it is immoral and reprehensible, but the demand is there and offer there as well (I guess the same in most countries) Now it makes it an illegal business with high returns therefore attractive to organised crime, these organisations then "import" girls from eastern Europe that get broken into it and become sexual slaves with no recognition, protection, IDs... So in the name of what is deemed morally right we have a law that encourages sexual slavery and profit organised crime. I much prefer a system where prostitution is legal, organised where the humans are cared for and protected (I believe this is the case in Australia?) than our system that may be "morally right" but creates so much human suffering...
No slavery in Australia hey ?
www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-02/sex-slavery-charges-after-sydney-brothel-raids/3807298
Need to make a difference between refugees that are fleeing political, religious, racial....... persecution and economical refugees that are looking for a better lifestyle! The second group should be sent back the same day!
I went back to Europe in February and when i came out of the plane (in Switzerland) I found that the federal police was doing passport checks directly after the plane gate, I was told that if you had no passport you would not be able to leave the plane and sent back to your departure. People destroy the documents so they can't be found to be economical refugees and sent back.
