*cough*
Must interject here.
Few points on the refugee 'thing'. For the sake of convenience, I'll call these points, 'facts'.
1. They only cost so much because we keep insisting on offshore processing. 40k per head offshore, 4k onshore.
2. Genuine refugees/asylum seekers want nothing more than, and DO integrate into our society.
Most find legitimate, gainful employment within months after being granted asylum, and 'pay back' the investment we as taxpayers have spent on them within a few years. The majority are completely unskilled, so are guided into training and apprenticeships, eventually learning a trade. The 'skills shortage' you keep hearing about? These people are obtaining those skills, and utilising them.
3. When I hear someone say "Spend the money on Australians instead!!!" I have to remind them that currency is a cyclical thing.
Its not like it disappears completely when spent, It just moves.
Out of the reserve bank, spent in Australia, buying Australian products and services from all the Australians involved with refugees.
None of it goes offshore.
Except... Except for Nauru. A lot of your money goes to Nauru for a little holiday before coming back.
Because Nauru is a tax haven.
Won't delve too deeply into that here though, other than to say there's a reason most of the steps in the refugee 'process' are handled by contracted private companies rather than government departments.
Still wanna 'stop the boats'? Ok, fair enough. Can't just open the floodgates completely.
We need to stop spending ʞ©$ɟtons of money dragging them out of the water and flying them to various island prisons.
Its pointless. If they make it onto a boat, its too late. Welcome to Australia, eventually.
Instead, spend that money sending a massive task force to Indonesia to stop the smugglers putting them ON the boats in the first place.
Second rant. Welfare drug testing.
Stupidest... Idea... EVER.
Proof: http://www.inquisitr...ts-state-46000/