On Wed, 7 Nov 2012, Mike Mitchell wrote: Well, first, I don't think that the German records are that spotless thar I need to defend that country in particular. Anyhow, the refugee laws are harmonized, I am not sure EU-wide, it may be the "Schengen zone" ( a group of European countries co-operating on border control issues) only. When you enter one of the countries you apply for asylum there. And Germany is right in the middle.. But, when you are successful, you have the freedom to move freely in the European Union. And many of them move to Germany. You can look at the European budget to find out how much Germany contributes to these EU politics. And nearly every Yugoslavian I met here has family in Germany too. I am living here now, for ten years, and I find the "boatpeople politics" hard to swallow. You would not win an election in Germany with these, I am pretty sure. You may win up to 10% fringe votes if you become a candidate of the Neo-Nazi NPD with these arguments (and maybe some in the CSU's Bavaria.. but that's a story for itself). The most Germans feel confronted by such opinions. The Australian politicians are fiddling with the migration zone to exclude the country. That makes it pretty clear that they are aware of the obligations and try every trick to avoid responsibility. The question is not: Is it a lawful thing to do? The question is: Do we think all means are OK if we can get away with it? And, yes, others are watching us, and we don't make a pretty picture. BTW: The up to 10% "fringe vote" means you get some seats in the parliament if you have proportional representation. Nobody wants to govern with them. In the Australian system both main parties are fighting for that fringe vote because to have them means to have the bums you need to govern. I have sometimes the feeling the "decent Australia" is taken for granted. Does it have a voice? Regards Peter