If you were Indonesian, what would you think about Australians?

[donnashuggy]

and our Government?

If I try and put myself in their shoes I would probably think that  a lot of Australians are very wealthy, greedy and not terribly compassionate. Generally speaking of course.

Surely they must be in shock when they read about boat returns to their much much poorer country.

[just_me_karen]

grizz said: "you have no idea..........they aren't staying in camps"

It appears it's not me who has no idea. There are 16 immigration detention centres in Indonesia, filled past capacity. For example, the one in Sumatra was built to hold a few hundred people but now has well over 1000. They are expecting another 2000 people to arrive via Malaysia this year. Nearly all these people are en route to Australia and NZ. The Indonesian tax payer has to foot the bill for these people.

Their system works very much like our system. People sneak into the country in various ways (mostly by plane as tourists, students etc) and then overstay their visa. If they're discovered by the authorities without the necessary paperwork, they're held in immigration detention centres before being deported. If they claim asylum, they're supposed to be processed and protected.

[just_me_karen]

As for people who claim Indonesian corruption is rampant, they're thinking of the 90s and demonstrating an uneducated, stereoptypical view. It might be a good idea to read up a little more...if you did, you would discover they have a rigorous anti corruption commission (KPK). It's independent and has imprisoned many senior political figures and rich people who have used corrupt means to prosper.

Yes, it's still a problem, but it is being wiped out bit by bit. I think all developing countries have corruption problems?

[izabsmiling]

True Karen 

[*mrgrizz*]

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@just_me_karen wrote:

grizz said: "you have no idea..........they aren't staying in camps"

It appears it's not me who has no idea. There are 16 immigration detention centres in Indonesia, filled past capacity. For example, the one in Sumatra was built to hold a few hundred people but now has well over 1000. They are expecting another 2000 people to arrive via Malaysia this year. Nearly all these people are en route to Australia and NZ. The Indonesian tax payer has to foot the bill for these people.

Their system works very much like our system. People sneak into the country in various ways (mostly by plane as tourists, students etc) and then overstay their visa. If they're discovered by the authorities without the necessary paperwork, they're held in immigration detention centres before being deported. If they claim asylum, they're supposed to be processed and protected.

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...........the people coming here aren't staying in camps.

that would make the Indonesian government involved..........just let them walk out and say we are getting on a boat for Australia

[just_me_karen]

The people working here without visas also aren't in our immigration detention centres.

But, like Indonesia, if they're caught, they'll be detained.

If the Indonesian govt, in your mind, is involved...then ditto for the Australian govt. ..obviously, according to your theory, they're involved too.

[*mrgrizz*]

If I was an Indonesian I'd feel offended that my tax dollars have to be spent on thousands of people held in camps there, who are simply in the country on their way to Australia

they are your words..............but carry on

[just_me_karen]

A bit of reading would help.

The people in the indonesian detention centres are the ones who have been caught. They don't get on boats because they're locked up.

The people in the boats have not been caught.

In Australia, the people in detention centres are the ones who have been caught.

the people who work in cash jobs or spend their time traveling by doing rental car transfers, have not been caught.

[donnashuggy]

Our government is corrupt , they have decided to tell us half truths, they protect their rich friends, that is corrupt!