While I am an atheist i kind of like this..............i understand that all sorts of interpretations can be made from stuff in the bible, but the below to me is apt when talking about asylum seekers

yes I know we are not in Egypt...................

33 “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 34 You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

LOL. I'm an atheist, too. It seems that atheists have more christian morals than the so-called christians have.

Those that over stay their visas are here illegally and should be deported unless they are seeking asylum. To seek asylum is NOT illegal in this country.

Yes, seeking asylum is not against the law.   However.......

Until asylum seekers are documented as genuine refugees they are here illegally..

if they are found not to be genuine refugees they are here illegally.

Those who are found to be genuine refugees are afforded all the protection and assistance we can give.

.. don't understand the governments fixation with boats when the numbers are the clear minority.

Boat arrivals in Australia

2008 -  7 boats, 161 passengers

2010 -  134 boats,  6555 passengers

2013 - 300 boats, 20 587 passengers. (source: news.com.au, rest are from aph.gov)

Nothing to be concerned about?

How many people enter Australia by plane without a passport, or a visa if one is required by Aust for people from their country?

I don't think it is possible to come via plane without a passport or visa lol, kiwis used to be able to, not sure if they still are

I think you will find that the numbers that come via boat is insignificant to those that come here on holiday visa or similar and overstay their visa. 

Nope, sorry, while they are waiting for their claims to be processed they are still seeking asylum, therefore, quite legal.

Maybe, maybe not re number of people arrivng by plane outnumbering boat arrival passengers.. but  the plane arrivals do have a passport and visa (if required) when they enter this country.. the majority of boat people don't.

Immigration Dept, AU

In the 2009–10 financial year, it was estimated that approximately 15 800 people overstayed their visa. This compares with about 4.5 million temporary entrants over the same period—an overstayer rate of less than half a per cent.

Many people who are recorded as overstayers are simply extending their stay in Australia by a few days or weeks, and leave of their own accord within a short period. Others overstay for a longer period, for example, out of a desire to live and work in Australia.

---

@am*3 wrote:

Maybe, maybe not re number of people arrivng by plane outnumbering boat arrival passengers.. but  the plane arrivals do have a passport and visa (if required) when they enter this country.. the majority of boat people don't.

 

Immigration Dept, AU

 

In the 2009–10 financial year, it was estimated that approximately 15 800 people overstayed their visa. This compares with about 4.5 million temporary entrants over the same period—an overstayer rate of less than half a per cent.

 

Many people who are recorded as overstayers are simply extending their stay in Australia by a few days or weeks, and leave of their own accord within a short period. Others overstay for a longer period, for example, out of a desire to live and work in Australia.

 

 

---

that 15800 is the total number who over stayed. not the number who have vanished into our neighbour hoods.

that number includes even those who have only stayed 1 day to long

Oct 2012

2012 - 17 202 boat passenger arrivals (Govt statistic)

2013  - 20 587 passenger arrivals (source news.com.au)

As mentioned above all overstayers are counted in the overstayer statistics even if they leave the country a day, a week, or a month etc later than the date their visa expired.