ARE REFUGEE CENTRES SECURE?

The question must arise as to whether the refugee centres are secure from escape and attack.

In the past there have been migrant centres in urban areas of Australia which appear safe and peaceful. But these are not centres for asylum seekers.

With the rise of boat people, the ball game has changed. There has been the policy to house such people on islands far removed from the mainland of Australia.

Such a policy has been adopted to prevent unlawful transit to Australia.

But the modern asylum seekers are from nations that are wracked by war with political and religious violence. Citizens may find great difficulty in seeking lawful immigration.

They may be families and people suffering political and religious reprisal. There may be criminals and activists as well as deserters from the military.

The plan to house such people on isolated islands may be due to recognition that escape attempts are possible as well as attacks from agents of the home nation. 

The last eventuality the Australian Government wants is a suicide bomber who managed to get through the net to kill asylum seekers. Murphy's Law says it is possible.

Have they committed any offence in taking family on a refugee boat? No. They were intercepted on the high seas. There is usually no illegal entry.

But the boat people are in great danger. It is a high price to pay for a loving family to seek a new life but be lost on the high seas.

Only today there is a report of asylum seekers lost in a boat with great loss of life. Were there life jackets?

I am sure that if I were an asylum seeker, I would make sure that I obtained life jackets and rope for my family.

The refugee/ asylum seeker problem is a LOSE-LOSE situation. How are the people cared for in the isolated centres?

Are clergy employed to care and counsel? Do children have school lessons? All of this raises expectations that may never eventuate.

If people are sent home, will there be reprisals?

The media today reported that the ban on journalists has been lifted.

Manus Island has a wharf for ships and an airport for getaway. That is a security problem.