ARGH Refugee Help please (general forieng policy)

[xXNovaxX]

Hi there

Just wondering, we all hear how the Opposition LOVES when we get new boat pplz coz they can bag the Labor Party at weak policies

I was wondering, why ISN'T the Gov. really doing anything? Like they have been sooooo silent. I am thinking of writing it on my exam, but i only just considered this. Like whats the Gov. got to lose in taking action?

Please don't say financial constraints, because we are only talking a few million, not billions. Like I understand Labor likes to be more friendly towards immigrants and refugees, but like they;re not even taking ANY action.

thx

[Nic K]

It's definitely an interesting issue. It is as if the Labor government is scared of standing up to 'boat people'.

It could possibly have something to do with Labor's attack during the Howard years on their policies and now trying to not look hypocritical.

Clearly by the latest newspoll, Rudd is not doing himself any favours by not dealing with this issue strongly and decisively. This issue could almost make or break him as the Prime Minister.

[wombifat]

The policies that Howard had in place were violently criticised by the UN, World Organisation Against Torture, Amnesty International, and eventually the electorate. They were blatant breaches of the UN convention on the rights of child, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Covenant against Torture and other Crual, Inhumane and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, International Covenenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the convention relating to the status of refugees, all of which have been signed by australia

so that could have something to do with it?

[xXNovaxX]

Hmm, thanks guys.

Yah, also I think there really is NO solution, since any little thing you do could easily breach one of those conventions!

In my personal opinion, I think Rudd is handling it fine, tehre are over 1 MILLION refugees in Iran and Pakistan as a result of the Iraq and Afghan war, so we are only talking about a few hundreds, HOW HAVE NOT TOUCHED AUSTRALIAN SOIL. It's just been blown out of proportion.

Again, thanks for the help.