but it is a fact that in many countries, such as Afghanistan and Iraq, where many boat people originate, there is no embassy for them to go to. Leaving those countries is in itself hazardous - no straightforward exit and entry points, and people risk their lives to get out. And they can't fly, because they can't get visas for Australia from an embassy that doesn't exist, and airlines are prohibited by law from accepting passengers without visas. That's assuming there is a plane to fly out on, which there isn't. Hence, the trade in boats.
Indonesia could, and should, help put an end to people smuggling, but their police and military make tidy profits from keeping it going - it couldn't happen without the help of the authorities there, and there are kickbacks all down the line. And they won't accept boats that are sent back - Rudd tried that, and was left with egg on his face.
We know where Abbott's coming from - "Just say no" - but the Greens are particularly stupid on this one. They weep over people dying at sea, yet they think that on-shore processing, with an almost-guaranteed acceptance, is going to stop the boats. They are being ridiculous. Their idealogy so often gets in the way of rational thinking, I'm afraid. And if Clive Palmer wants onshore processing, it must be a bad idea - he's only interested in getting cheap labour, and who wants to support that?
I agree - Malaysia isn't ideal, but it's worth a try. The Greens need to get their heads screwed on and support the government on this one.
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