Quote Originally Posted by World citizen View Post
A lot of aus99 seem to acquire their political opinions while flicking through the front section of the tele in search of the adults classified section and sports pages. and yes, the irony is not lost of me that a fair proportion of aus99 users are steadfast in their opposition to asylum seekers, despite the fact they have only recently settled in australian themseles in search of a better life
Well, I don't know about other people, I had a residential visa granted to me before I landed in Eagle Farm in the 80's. I have tax taken out from my very first pay and have been paying my fair share of tax ever since. Everything I got today I have worked very hard for, I have never taken anything from the government personally unless you count the medicare benefits of which I believe is covered by the tax I paid anyway.,

Of course my children all got their usual benefits like education from the government growing up but they were born here and they are as Aussie as any other citizens of this country.

But we can not have an open door policy and take in all these boat people who came here via illegal channels. It's costing us too much and we simply can not afford this !

I don't know who they are and what are their circumstances, but the government figures shows that more than 80% of the boat people whom eventually was granted refugee status to stay in Australia are still on full Centerlink benefits after 5 years of obtaining their status - so how long do you think we can continue to support these people when they are either not willing to work, or has no skills or whatever the reasons. While we can't even take care of our own elderly, youths and under privileged citizens ??

Just my two cents

Cheers