"Good points Hergerr=I only have two Q=would they treat usthe same way in their country,2=would U give help to group who preach to cut infidels heads off.(That`s us by the way the infidels). "
My views:
On the first question, I don't believe that's relevant. What I know is, we are an immigrant country and if someone becomes an Australian via legal means, they should have the same rights and responsibilities as all other Australians. That's an important principle. If that's not the way it works in whatever country the immigrant came from, why should we change that.
Question two, no, I wouldn't, but I don't see how you can change the benefits system to accommodate that. You don't know which immigrants are bad apples until they break the law - and then of course they are dealt with accordingly.
If we had a crystal ball who could tell in advance who would become productive, law abiding migrants and who would end up in our jails, then I fully agree that the law breakers should not be granted residence. But we don't so I believe the only thing we can do is assume they'll be decent human beings.
On a more general note it seems there's the view here that boat people aren't Australians, so why should we help them and give them the same help Australians receive. I'm confused by this argument. They became Australian citizens by legal means. The only difference between most of us and them is that whether we're Australians by birth or through immigration. In any case it's counterproductive to treat them as foreigners rather than Australians because they're already here, they aren't going anywhere and they're going to be a permanent part of Australian society, so better to work to get over that hurdle rather than live with resentment.
