I thought the pink Myopics were keen to remember (relive) history!, with DY our chief historical scribe. I also do wonder if any above remember some of Rudd's media statements in 2007/2008, because I suspect that they do not (selective memories?).
Nov 2007
Mr Rudd said Labor would take asylum-seekers who had been rescued from leaky boats to Christmas Island, would turn back seaworthy vessels containing such people on the high seas
"You'd turn them back," he said of boats approaching Australia, emphasising that Labor believed in an "orderly immigration system" enforced by deterrence.
And for those who might like some more proof (????), here is a live recording of Rudd in 2007 wherein he declares:
".....out on the high seas what you would do is seek to turn them back under the agency of the Australian Navy...."
http://www.andysrant.com/2013/07/audio-of-kevin-rudd-saying-turn-back-the-boats-in-2007.html
So it would appear the ALP were the first to say they would turn back the boats, then in 2008, Rudd as Prime Minister scrapped the tough border laws (Pacific Solution) which had cut boat people arrivals to just 288 over the previous six years." The rest is history unless you have a selective pink memory.
