FreeRepublic , LLC
PO BOX 9771
FRESNO, CA 93794
STOP BY AND BUMP THE FUNDRAISER THREAD
Posted on 06/14/2002 8:19:40 PM PDT by maui_hawaii
CANBERRA, June 14 — Australia's opposition parties united on Friday to block moves by the conservative government to tighten its borders further to asylum seekers by removing over 3,000 northern islands from its migration zone.
The government last week unveiled plans to cut a list of islands in the Torres Strait and Coral Sea off its migration zone so arrivals there cannot apply for visas after sketchy reports that a boat carrying asylum seekers was bound for Australia.
Last year the government removed the Cocos, Christmas and Ashmore Islands off its northwest coast from the migration zone to stop people smugglers using them as drop-off points for rising numbers of Middle Eastern and Afghan asylum seekers.
After a week of debate, the main opposition Labor party on Friday came out against excising further islands although still backing the government's popular closed door to asylum seekers.
''I'm not convinced that this new measure...will prevent people smugglers heading towards Australia,'' Labor leader Simon Crean told reporters.
''What's to prevent a boat headed to one of those islands going the extra couple of kilometres to land on the mainland?''
It was unclear what had happened to a boat reportedly carrying 42 Afghans on route for Australia or New Zealand, but authorities fear the rickety vessel may have sunk after leaving West Java in Indonesia 23 days ago. It has not been seen since.
Australia's minor parties, the Democrats and the Greens, have also opposed the proposal and, combined with Labor, have the numbers in parliament's upper house Senate to block the move.
The government accused Labor of putting short-term party politics ahead of the national interest.
''The people smugglers are already looking at opening new routes eastward. Simon Crean has just hung out their 'open for business' sign again,'' said acting prime minister John Anderson.
Last August the government lost patience with the 5,000 would-be refugees arriving by boat every year and deployed the navy to intercept and divert boats to the Pacific islands of Papua New Guinea and Nauru.
There have been no new boats for six months but Australia's tough stand has been condemned by human rights groups.
''I'm not convinced that this new measure...will prevent people smugglers heading towards Australia,'' Labor leader Simon Crean told reporters.
''What's to prevent a boat headed to one of those islands going the extra couple of kilometres to land on the mainland?''
What's your take on all this?
-------------
Well, tsk-tsk-tsk.
Australia's minor parties, the Democrats and the Greens, have also opposed the proposal and, combined with Labor, have the numbers in parliament's upper house Senate to block the move.
The government accused Labor of putting short-term party politics ahead of the national interest.
''The people smugglers are already looking at opening new routes eastward. Simon Crean has just hung out their 'open for business' sign again,'' said acting prime minister John Anderson.
Leftists and Illegal apologists tempt unfortunates to their deaths from the high seas to the southwestern deserts, or to the ruination of their own nations' laws and sovereignty.
All appeals to common sense are dismissed as "racist" or "mean-spirited."
Hail to the compassionate.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.