the boats will triple if labor gets in, page-8

Cotik, dui,
I think 'People Smuggling'is an unnecessary insult.

Refugees have a legal right to seek assylum in Australia. They are not illegal or contraband. I don't see why those who assist people get what they are entitled to are demonised.

I suggest it is just politicians pandering to 'dog whistle'politics. They need scapegoats. If refuggees are not doing wrong how can those who help them be evil?

Were the guides heping the Jews over the Pyrennes in 1939 smugglers?

It is wrong to condemn legitimate refugees to dangerous and uncomfortable boats. It is also wrong to make seeking refugee status only available to the rich.

Perhaps there is an opportunity for an idealistic organisation such as Getup to run a non profit safe and cheap shuttle service to the Australian border. At that point refugees could decide themselves whether to cross in small boats from the ship into the hands of waiting naval services.

This way the flow of refugees to Australia could be arranged on an industrial scale in safety.

You wouldn't really want anyone to profit from providing the service would you.

bacci