topic Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy in Community Spirit

Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

izabsmiling — Sat, 05 Oct 2013 23:44:21 GMT

Did Scott Morrison say that tow-backs were never part of the Coalitions Asylum Seeker Policy ?

and is that the truth or a lie ?

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

izabsmiling — Sat, 05 Oct 2013 23:48:57 GMT

Coalition ‘never had a policy of towing boats back’, says Scott Morrison Immigration minister accuses media of ‘misrepresentation over a long period of time’ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/04/coalition-never-had-a-policy-of-towing-boats-back-says-scott-morrison

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

izabsmiling — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 00:17:25 GMT

PM's boats compromise offers a way to ditch tow-back policy

Date 2nd Oct 2013

Asked repeatedly whether his signature policy of turning asylum seeker boats back to Indonesia would ever be put into practice, Mr Abbott demurred and said only that he was confident of stopping the flow of boats with Indonesia's help.

''Again, my object here is to stop the boats. And in order to ensure that the boats are stopped I want to have the best possible relationship with Indonesia,'' he said.

While insisting he stood by his pre-election policy announcements, Mr Abbott appeared to be preparing for a gradual change of tack, insisting that the main game was stopping the boats.

''In the end that's all that really counts: have we stopped the boats?'' he said.

Some senior sources say there has been too narrow a focus on turning boats back when the key issue is leveraging a stronger response from Jakarta.

Mr Abbott also appeared to waver on other parts of his contentious policy, saying village spies and buy-backs of fishing boats were nothing more than a pot of money available to local Indonesian officials ''working co-operatively with their Australian counterparts to ensure, as far as we can, we've got people working with us rather than against us''.

Is Tony Abbott admitting that parts of the Policy on an issue he made an extremely important one and one that may have been a vote winner are nothing more than a pot of money ?

It seems as though he doesn't stand by the Policies Australians voted on ?

some of us weren't so silly then...if we felt the same

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

spotweldersfriend — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 00:16:34 GMT

Must be those fifth columnists working at the ABC.They'll be weeded out soon enough.

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

izabsmiling — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 00:20:04 GMT

some seem to have forgotten to add (and stress) the very important detail of 'when it's safe to do so' ...to the 'Turn Back the Boats' claim...

it seems to be being stressed now though

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

**meep** — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 01:33:45 GMT

what Tow-back policy?

http://www.liberal.org.au/our-policies

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

cherry*135 — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 01:54:09 GMT

July 2013

Coalition defends tow-back policy

The Coalition is defying Indonesia on asylum policy, with Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop insisting it was unbowed in its determination to tow boats back towards Indonesia, despite that country's objections
.

Asked whether the opposition would only pursue policies that had the co-operation and support of Indonesia, Ms Bishop said: ''We will continue with our policies that worked when we were in government. That includes turning back boats when it is safe to do so. It's an inescapable fact that these are Indonesian boats … Australia is within its right to turn the boats back in our waters, in international waters, where it's safe to do so.''

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/coalition-defends-towback-policy-20130707-2pkaw.html#ixzz2gu0bRZU4

Wording issue? tow back vs turn back?

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

izabsmiling — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 03:41:18 GMT

It has been wording that has been used and by Tony Abbott himself when I think when he said something like our aim is to turn back boats not strictly to tow them back ?

AS the federal opposition touts its tow-back policy for asylum seeker boats, it's worth remembering what happened to the last of the seven vessels turned back by the Howard government.

- See more at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/behind-howards-last-boat-tow-back/story-fn3dxiwe-1226608464585#sthash.r5LtEqHH.dpuf

we seem to have gone from ''tow back the boats'' ,''stop the boats'' , ''buy the boats''

of late Scott Morrison's ''hide the boats'' , and our PM's ...which Boats ?

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

cherry*135 — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 04:13:51 GMT

we seem to have gone from ''tow back the boats'' ,''stop the boats'' , ''buy the boats''

of late Scott Morrison's ''hide the boats'' , and our PM's ...which Boats ?

True,

The tow back the boats - when safe to do so - was very airy-fairy anyway.. when would it be safe to do so?? no answers ever given to that ?. The Navy weren't thrilled at all with that idea either.

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

izabsmiling — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 04:20:18 GMT

http://www.australiantimes.co.uk/news/news-from-australia/news-in-australia/mark-latham-says-labor-should-support-tow-back-asylum-boats-policy.htm

Mark Latham says Labor should support tow back asylum boats policy

Former federal Labor leader Mark Latham has urged Prime Minister Julia Gillard to adopt the Coalition’s policy of sending boats carrying asylum seekers back into Indonesian waters in order to address the severity of the people smuggling issue.

By Paul Bleakley on 11 June, 2013

...The controversial former politician called on Ms Gillard to tow boats carrying asylum seekers back into Indonesian waters without the country’s prior approval in an attempt to pressure Jakarta into taking stronger action against the people smugglers operating out of Indonesian ports. He said that corruption in Indonesian law enforcement facilitated people smuggling, and that the Indonesian government “will never agree” to take responsibility for the issue.

Mr Latham said: “We’re talking about a major problem here, and we’re better off confronting that. The Indonesians won’t agree but it should be tried in an exercise almost like calling their bluff. No decent person with any sort of heart could stand by and watch these families, these children, drowning on the high seas between Australia and Indonesia.

“There comes a time in politics and public life . . . where the thought of lying in bed at night thinking of young children drowning on the seas – who gives a **bleep** about parliamentary politics – there comes a time to call the truth and to act on it.”

Liberal frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull supported Mr Latham’s position, saying that “seaworthy” vessels could be escorted “to the limit of the territorial waters so that their only option is to return there (Indonesia).”He said that the government would only take this course of action “where it is safe to do so” and admitted that the co-operation of the Indonesian government would be important in order to ensure the safety of those on board the suspected people smuggling vessels.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Coalition defies Indonesia with boat tow-back policy

She said Mr Rudd's first government had dismantled the Howard government's policies without consulting Indonesia and in doing so ''he weakened our border protection laws and that has sparked this whole crisis''.

Coalition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison agreed with Ms Bishop that the Coalition would tow back boats even if it was against the express wishes of the Indonesian government.

''No one told John Howard he couldn't do it either, or could do it,'' Mr Morrison told ABC radio on Monday morning.

''John Howard didn’t even discuss it with the Indonesian President. That's a decision we take . . . on our side of the border.''

The Coalition's policy was a ''no surprises'' one, Mr Morrison said. ''I don't think anyone, anywhere, could think that it's not the Coalition’s policy to turn boats back where it's safe to do so. I think we've been pretty clear about that.''

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

DAVID LIPSON Sure, but the Coalition has said that the Indonesians are aware of your policy and yet the Ambassador and the Foreign Minister have both said that it is not acceptable to them. Why is that not good enough?

JULIE BISHOP What is being put to the Indonesian officials is quote “a tow-back policy” which implies that the Australian Navy would be escorting boats back into Indonesian ports. That would be a violation of Indonesian territorial sovereignty and we’ve never suggested that would be the case.

http://www.juliebishop.com.au/transcripts/1302-lunchtime-agenda.html

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Am3, some of have believed that 'the boat turnback' could be done in each and every case ...which isn't the truth.

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

cherry*135 — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 04:29:46 GMT

They did add 'when it was safe to do so'. Which was never explained - that is, under what circumstances it would be safe to do so.

Not every boat, but when it was safe to do so, the boat would be towed back.

Turnbull -

”He said that the government would only take this course of action “where it is safe to do so” and admitted that the co-operation of the Indonesian government would be important in order to ensure the safety of those on board the suspected people smuggling vessels.

They never did get the co-operation, support of the Indonesian govt for the tow back the boats iplan before the election did they?

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

izabsmiling — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 05:57:19 GMT

It doesn't look as though Scott Morrison is telling the truth that the Coalition NEVER had a Policy of towing back the boats

nor as Scott Morrison claims that it was a media misrepresentaion over a long period of time

nor those same claims by Tony Abbott and Julie Bishop

On the ABC’s 7.30 tonight McRae said several times the Coalition had a “tow back” policy.

Tony Abbott explained, the Coalition never had a policy to “tow back” boats - a highly dangerous maonouvre:

He said reporting of some of the Coalition’s policies had been overblown - scotching suggestions the Coalition had ever intended to tow back asylum-seeker boats to Indonesia. “Our policy, which we have repeated until we are blue in the face, is that we reserve the right to turn boats around where it’s safe to do so. There is a lot of difference between turning boats around in Australian waters and the Australian navy towing them back to Indonesia.
“There is just a world of difference and, if I may say so, there has been a tendency of people to put to other people what is not the Coalition’s policy in an attempt to, I think, generate a headline rather than constructively address this issue.

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

catsnknots — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 06:35:44 GMT

Morrison said the Coalition had “never had a policy of towing boats back to Indonesia” and blamed “misrepresentation over a long period of time” in the media for that impression.

this was a lie sprouted by the left wing campaigners... the Coalition never said they would tow back boats to Indonesia... never...

You can't do that... once out of our waters we have no say in what happens to the boats. We can turn back any boat that does not have permission to be in our waters. We often turn back boats that come into our waters to fish.. their catch is taken from what I understand and they are sent packing. We have every right to do that.

I have never heard the Coalition say that they will go into international waters, or into Indonesian waters, to tow a boat back to Indonesian ports... that is a total Furphy.

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

izabsmiling — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 07:22:05 GMT

Hi Catmad, I think that a number of people who look into 'the slogans' would know what can and can't be done

Opposition Immigration spokesman Scott Morrison, who has been involved in what he describes as wide-ranging discussions on asylum seekers, will not reveal the Indonesian leaders' reactions to the Coalition's policy of towing boats back to Indonesia.

16/10/2012

Transcript

EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: Just a short time ago I was joined from the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, by the Opposition's immigration spokesman, Scott Morrison.

Scott Morrison, thanks for being there.

SCOTT MORRISON, OPPOSITION IMMIGRATION SPOKESMAN: Pleasure to be with you, Emma.

EMMA ALBERICI: How did the Foreign Minister react when you told him you'd be towing boats back to his shores?

SCOTT MORRISON: Well, unlike how the Government handles these issues, who I think are in no position to lecture the Coalition on how we should be conducting a relationship with Indonesia or on border protection matters for that instance, I'm not going to go into the private details of those discussions.

EMMA ALBERICI: Why not?

SCOTT MORRISON: I mean, that is not something that I think's appropriate. Well because I think it's very important that we build a relationship of trust and a relationship where we can have the sort of conversations that are necessary.

EMMA ALBERICI: Would it be fair to say that the Indonesian government did not react kindly to the idea of having boats towed back to their shores?

SCOTT MORRISON: Well I think it'd be very unfair for you to draw any implications or make any commentary on the nature of these discussions, Emma, because the media weren't part of those discussions. I mean, I've been part of these discussions, as has Julie.

EMMA ALBERICI: Can you tell us: do you have an agreement from the Indonesian Government that they will facilitate a tow-[back policy, that they will actually take those asylum seekers back?

SCOTT MORRISON: Well, again, Emma, I'm not going into the private discussions that I have had and that the leader has had.
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2012/s3612153.htm

(footage available in link)

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

catsnknots — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 07:30:21 GMT

EMMA ALBERICI: How did the Foreign Minister react when you told him you'd be towing boats back to his shores?

Well this about sums it all up... can you please show me where any Coalition person and said that exact phrase that the Coalition will be towing boats back to Indonesian shores???

Sometimes she is a birlliant reporter and sometimes she is totally the opposite.

And what is the point of that information you have given us there??

Where did Scott Morrission say that we would be towing anything back to Indonesian shores???

You have questioned if he lied so can you show me proof that he has considering you seem to be suggesting he has???

Or am I just totally lost and have no idea what you are trying to say.... again???

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

izabsmiling — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 07:39:53 GMT

and how was he ...did he say 'boat tow backs' are not part of our Policy..that is media misrepresentation ?

No.No denial...Deliberately misleading and vague non answers and now he wants to call it media misrepresentation ? ha ha

Do you know that we were also told that the Howard Gov policies would be in place ?

Tow backs were part of that

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

catsnknots — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 08:33:36 GMT

lol.. they will tow them back to international waters.. not to bloody Indonesia...

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

izabsmiling — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 08:58:22 GMT

Wouldn't Indonesia's shores be the land along their waters edge ?

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

cherry*135 — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 09:45:58 GMT

As posted above:

The Coalition is defying Indonesia on asylum policy, with Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop insisting it was unbowed in its determination to tow boats back towards Indonesia, despite that country's objections.

Sept 27

The minutes of the New York meeting reveal once again the Australian government’s strong preference for keeping the issue of towing boats back to Indonesia out of the public eye.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/julie-bishop-private-meeting-details-published-by-indonesias-foreign-minister-20130927-2uhgo.html#ixzz2gvwjcjYA

Re: Question re our Asylum Seeker Policy

catsnknots — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 09:43:12 GMT

Yes.. that is right. that is what a shore is.. I can only find people like Emma Alberici that used that phrase and not a Coalition policy that says that..

Can you please give me a link where a Coalition policy states that we wil take them back to Indonesian shores?