conroy refuses apology & shorten backs him , page-19

I don't agree Pugsley!

The Government made a hardline decision to use the military rather than just customs to conduct this mission (which forms part of the greater policy). Most of what we are discussing is now a military operation and like any military undertaking it would be the commander that would brief the public not the politicians.

The politicians are there to make and execute policy not run specific operations and their commentary should be just that.

I guess what we have here is a question of if we want effect action or not. If not; don’t use the military, re -open 24/7 communications and watch the repeat from the Rudd/Gillard/Rudd saga.

Those that want an open door policy are going to strike at anything and everything whether it is logical or not. This is not a policy for the faint hearted but to be effective it can’t be!