[dpastern (Dave Pastern)]

Mike - I guess there are 2 sides to every coin. Many legitimate refugees who come in via the appropriate channels rightly feel cheated that they've done the right thing and then watch the boat people come in and break all the rules and get away with it. It does make a mockery of the situation I think.

There could be potential security related issues too - very unlikely I might add as you well and truly realise, but it is a possibility.

That said, I always felt that John Howard was a racist and to be honest, that many Australians are racist. I watch many Australians give foreigners dirty looks and it isn't nice or pretty. Coming from a NESB, I view things a different way I guess.

Dave