http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/2008/12/02/parliamentary-commitee-report-into-immigration-detention/ The world of politics, policy and public life Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:09:14 +1100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/2008/12/02/parliamentary-commitee-report-into-immigration-detention/#comment-346 beevo Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:21:49 +0000 http://blogs.crikey.com.au/bartlett/?p=191#comment-346 Just to clarify my previous post... my reaction to the back-charge issue was not directed towards the asylum seekers/immigrants! I was really surprised that the government seeks to recover this at all and not surprised that they do not get much of it in te end. Just to clarify my previous post… my reaction to the back-charge issue was not directed towards the asylum seekers/immigrants! I was really surprised that the government seeks to recover this at all and not surprised that they do not get much of it in te end.

]]> http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/2008/12/02/parliamentary-commitee-report-into-immigration-detention/#comment-345 beevo Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:16:27 +0000 http://blogs.crikey.com.au/bartlett/?p=191#comment-345 The more I see and read of this detention issue the more aggravated I become. I followed the link back to the story about charges and was appalled. It would be cheaper to accomodate detainees on Hamilton Island or on the Gold Coast etc. I am not joking! At least that would help the tourist industry too! What a ridiculous situation. As for the deterrent aspect for illegal people smuggling, it seems to be targeting the cargo rather than the carriers. It may make logical sense to some but these are people we are talking about, not fake Rolex watches! An investigation into the illegal traders and policing of international waters needs to be carried out. A little compassion is required when most asylum seekers (granted, perhaps not all) have suffered more than we can ever imagine. I am sure they are aware of the risks but this just highlights how desperate they must be. The more I see and read of this detention issue the more aggravated I become. I followed the link back to the story about charges and was appalled. It would be cheaper to accomodate detainees on Hamilton Island or on the Gold Coast etc. I am not joking! At least that would help the tourist industry too! What a ridiculous situation.
As for the deterrent aspect for illegal people smuggling, it seems to be targeting the cargo rather than the carriers. It may make logical sense to some but these are people we are talking about, not fake Rolex watches! An investigation into the illegal traders and policing of international waters needs to be carried out.
A little compassion is required when most asylum seekers (granted, perhaps not all) have suffered more than we can ever imagine. I am sure they are aware of the risks but this just highlights how desperate they must be.

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