Yesterday, Julia Gillard's government caved in to the Greens. Australia's immigration policy is now run by the rump Green party of Bob Brown.
The pre-election promise of an off-shore detention centre in East Timor has been virtually abandoned in favour of two new centres - in Northam WA to house 1500 asylum seekers, Inverbrackie SA to house 400 - and the expansion of an existing Darwin centre to take an additional 400.
Women and children will now be housed in the community - and only single men will be locked behind razor wire - and even that may be watered down under the relentless demands of the Greens.
The prime minister is squirming to try and present this about face as a Labor government initiative. What is painfully clear is that this change is sending a message that the people smuggler's will be shouting to those seeking a new life - " the door to Australian entry is now wide open ! "
No longer will we see boats entirely loaded with men. There is now a huge incentive to bring wives and children because the new community based accommodation initiative for women and children has changed the balance to favour families.
So far in 2010 one hundred and six immigration boats have arrived on our shores. This trickle will now become a flood.
No matter how the change in policy is presented by way of spin, what really matters is how it will be interpreted by the hordes overseas and the people smugglers who serve them - and there is absolutely no doubt that this will be seen as a green flag.
Forget the debate on a future Australian population size. We just opened the door to unlimited migration !
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