John Howard was the master of wedge politics and he was very...

John Howard was the master of wedge politics and he was very good at politicising the boat people issue.Before he declared Labor were soft on "boat people",the issue was always worked out behind closed doors in a bipartisan manner.Both parties would work on a kind off common policy/approach that they believed would best serve the Australian nation.During and after Malcolm Frasers Prime Ministership this approach well served the nation during periods when waves of boat people would arrive.
To his credit PM Fraser fought hard for boat people rights when some tried to demonise them.Subsequent Govts and oppositions had resisted the temptation to politicise the issue because of the potential devisive nature of such a debate.Much like the "Pauline Hanson" factor,sometimes its better to keep the bigoted,small minded,racist elements on a short leash,lest they do some real damage.
Well......Johnny Howard put an end to any goodwill between the political parties and towards boat people in his efforts to win elections.The Labor party has followed him right down the sewer pipe.
A good politician was Howard,but a terrible leader.
The boat people issue is global and neither party is soft.
Its political talk.
As far as the payment goes,the Govt has some ideas as to how much would be paid out if these issues went to court.I think they have probably made a considerable saving.