A slippery slope !

There was a certain inevitability about Kevin Rudd's " Indonesian Solution " to our refugee problem !

The Greens and other welfare minded organizations are complaining that the Indonesian facilities for housing our refugee rejects are way below the standards they would expect if they were being held in Australia.

Rudd's answer is to pledge further assistance to " International Refugee agencies " to upgrade these facilities.

That is the first step on a very slippery slope - and it needs long and careful thought about the likely consequences.

Australia is a first world country - Indonesia is not !

Detention facilities here have standards commensurate with the Australian way of living. Hot water for showers is available 24/7. Meals are adjusted to accommodate religious requirements. There is entertainment by way of TV and libraries. Medical help is always immediately available - as are counsellors - and those detained have access to legal advisers.

It would be very easy to create detention centres in Indonesia where facilities are way and above the standards the Indonesian population receives from it's government, and that could only foment resentment - at both governments.

Indonesia has problems with restive members of it's own community and has a problem containing it's own incoming refugee flow. If we create a higher standard of detention for those privileged ones whose aspirations were to live in Australia - then we are creating a double standard - to our detriment.

The reason both countries incarcerate illegal settlers is to try and slow the flow of boat people - and allow the lengthy investigative process to separate genuine refugees from those simply seeking a better life.

The fact that Australian immigration holding centres are light years ahead in luxury - in comparison with the conditions at home - is one of the reasons boat people take the risk of death on the high seas.

Once we start duplicating these in Indonesia we not only provide a migration incentive, but we showcase the differing standards between the Australian and Indonesian lifestyles - and that can only create resentment in Indonesian minds !