What John Howard did or did not is irrelevent as he is no longer there and there is no obvious ‘proxy’ in the current liberal party.

The increased cost of essential services to all but the low income folk is estimated at a minimum of $1,000. Did you notice that “the deal” took $5 Billion from the people and gave it to the big polluters.

Who knows how Tony Abbott and Sophie will perform under a different leadership? I think those taking swipes at them might be worried that there has been a swing back to the right brought about by the government foisting the ETS legislation upon us when the community is clearly divided on the issue.

John Howard did nothing for 11 years on this issue.

Tony Abbott will not even give an honest answer on the issue ditto Sophie.

The argument about imposing taxes on the people is a furphy pushed by conservatives for their own political purposes.

There is no doubt that Sophie has leadership ambitions or that she is very good friends with Tony Abbott. We simply have to wait to see if the opposition’s future is heading left or right.

Some have suggested she could even become the deputy leader of the Libs now, oh dear what a disturbing thought.

I hear all her camp followers are on the radio praising her virtues, what a sad bunch of simple people they are!

Indi needs representatives with some intelligent thinking skills not this rubbish.

I think it was an Indonesian offcial who said Australia is such a strong magnet for asylum seekers simply because it offers more opportunities, a better lifestyle, better climate, etc, etc, and that is just how it is.

I don’t know how it works in Indonesia but perhaps there’s a temporary visa issued to them and they never apply for asylum there because they just want to get to Australia. Putting myself in a genuine regugee’s shoes I’d feel much the same way.

And, as Indonesia is pretty overcrowded, perhaps we just have to accept that refugees will use it as a transit or staging point, not a destination. We can’t tell other countries how to run their affairs.

I rise to speak on the Fair Work Amendment (State Referrals and Other Measures) Bill 2009. This bill seeks, among other things, to amend the Fair Work Act 2009 to allow state governments to refer their existing industrial relations powers to the Commonwealth, specifically relating to unincorporated employers. Under the provisions of the bill, state governments will be able to amend or terminate the referral of industrial relations powers to the Commonwealth with as little as three months notice. (…cont)

Sri Lanka asylum seekers sent home

* From: AAP
* November 15, 2009 4:26PM
MORE than 30 Sri Lankans, including a man who scaled a lightpole and threatened to jump during a protest on Christmas Island last month, have been returned to Colombo.

They join 30 others who returned to Sri Lanka voluntarily after their claims for asylum were rejected.

All were part of a group of 50 Sri Lankan men who arrived by boat in April.

Of the group, 12 have been granted protection visas and have been resettled on the mainland while another two are in the final stages of processing on Christmas Island.
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Immigration Minister Chris Evans said:
“People who are owed Australia’s protection under our international obligations will be granted that protection,” Senator Evans said.
But Senator Evans said all irregular maritime arrivals found not to be owed protection and with no other basis to remain in Australia would be removed.
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“Someone who is seeking better economic opportunities does not meet the criteria for a protection visa.”

I’m with you in that the government has done all it can to resolve the issue. The point I am trying to make is that if Australia folds to the remaining 50 on board they will run the risk of turning good Australians against the Tamil refugees.

IUf those remaining do not avail themselves of Australia’s offer of fast tracking their applications, they probably have good cause to fear closer examination and should be returned o Sri Lanka.