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@catmad*2013 wrote:

PNG is 4km from Australia... 

 

many PNG'ers make it here by dingy weekly...  they come shopping here, they seek medical attention here, they sneak in a little bit of cash in hand work here... 

 

How long before the people smugglers figure that out and make another route?? 

 

 

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The problem with that scenario is that once these people are officially settled in PNG they have no basis to seek refuge here or anywhere else.  So while they could get into a dingy (after crossing PNG to the closest point) and come to Australia and they would not even need help of smugglers, that would be illegal and they can be sent straight back, which is only 4 km.

That is WHY people will avoid being sent to PNG, once there they will have to stay there for ever.