Confronting Australian attitudes to refugees.

The majority of the world's refugees live in countries bordering their own. Some refugee camps can hold hundreds of thousands of people, in conditions that are, at best, very difficult. Food and water supplies are unpredictable and refugees are often not allowed to leave or work outside the camp. Violence, especially rape, is common.

Does Australia take in its 'fair share' of refugees?

The overwhelming majority of the world's refugees are situated in the developing world in countries neighboring their own. In 2009, of the 10.4 million refugees under the mandate of UNHCR, 8.3 million or 80 per cent were hosted by developing countries. Only 17 per cent of the refugees under UNHCR's mandate live outside their region of origin. 

Are refugees who arrive by boat queue jumpers?

Applying for protection onshore is not a means of "jumping the queue" or bypassing the "proper" process of applying for protection. In fact, applying onshore is the standard procedure for seeking protection. According to the definition in the UN Refugee Convention, refugees are persons who are outside their country of origin.

What social security benefits do refugees receive?

A refugee who has permanent residency in Australia receives exactly the same social security benefits as any Australian-born person in the same circumstances. Refugees apply for social security through Centrelink like everyone else. There are no separate Centrelink allowances that one can receive simply by being a refugee.

Are asylum seekers who arrive by boat a threat to Australia's national security?

The majority of asylum seekers who have reached Australia by boat have been found to be genuine refugees. Between 70 and 90 per cent have typically been found to be refugees, compared to around 40 to 45 per cent of asylum seekers who arrive with some form of temporary visa (e.g. tourist, student or temporary work visa). In the 2009-10 financial year, the primary recognition rate for asylum seekers who arrived by boat was 73 per cent, compared to 44 per cent for asylum seekers who arrived on a temporary visa.

The timing of the program could not be worse for Gillard. Her left-wing caucus members are threatening to veto the Malaysian solution, Gillard's support is disintegrating in opinion polls and Tony Abbot is peddling around Nauru saying 'stop the boats' and 'start the votes.' The next two episodes cannot be missed. Nor can the op-eds and weekend political analysis that is surely to come. I am betting David Marr will be on Barry Cassidy's couch! But will Andrew Bolt make a surprise return?