HI GZ you have covered that well imo. Just on the latter point...

HI GZ you have covered that well imo.

Just on the latter point of the deal I think the basis for it is the govt here needed a solution for those still in detention with nowhere to go. They for pure political reasons did not want to be seen as compromising with the no entry to Australia policy as that has been the key deterrent to stop people smuggling. They also said it is a one off. Politically they figured they could get away with a swap because the South Americans to come to Australia were unlikely to be Muslims so they were sort of pandering to the xenophobic elements in Australia. Another argument is that given no boat arrival person will gain entry into Australia and the South Americans to come here in the swap did not try to enter Australia that way the govt is not breaching its own policy. The 1200 South Americans will be treated as part of Australia’s normal immigration program which everyone seems to forget exists lol.

Trump doesn’t like it because he thinks he can sell the idea in the USA that the Middle Easterners are less desirable than the South Americans. However, from Turnbull’s perspective its a win because the long standing costly Manus Island and Nauru problem would be resolved.

cheers