For a country "built on immigration", Australia takes a very heavy hand with asylum seekers. Those arriving without passports or visas face mandatory detention in centres often described as "concentration camps". The man at the heart of immigration policy is Philip Ruddock. He is not very popular in some quarters, but as the Sydney Morning Herald (quoted in the linked BBC article above) says about the political argument surrounding the issue "This is an area of deep and serious division in public opinion, that, however, is not reflected in a contest of ideas between the two main political parties," suggesting a change of government won't change the situation.
Posted by Joe at July 17, 2003 06:10 PMJoe, See it worked!. Just to show you that by clicking on the right mouse I could open your comments and your photos. Thanks for your emails. More anon. Audrey
Posted by: Audrey at July 17, 2003 10:05 PMGood to see you on here Audrey. This particular entry was a direct result of our conversation last night.
Posted by: Joe at July 17, 2003 10:43 PM