Icyfroth wrote - can anyone explain to me what benefit such a refugee swap would be for anyone. ?

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Chameleon 54 wrote - It would certianly be a huge benefit to the refugees who are currently stuck in detention centres, often for political reasons. And isnt that the point of the whole excercise ......................get them out !!!!

We all know politics comes into play with refugees. This deal is all about getting them out of the detention centres, removing the political problems and pressures from government, standing by statements such as " These people will never be settled in Austrtalia "  and most important, not loosing face or giving into oposition detractors.

Its the dirty, cynical, underbelly of politics and deal making that all parties and Governments around the world play..