Abbott's Syrian refugee solution

The concern here is whether the Australian recipe for dealing with refugees may prove palatable for European policy makers. Abbott has himself suggested on a few occasions that "countries facing a crisis on their doorsteps are looking at his success at stopping the boats and thinking they can learn from Australia's experience."

The New York Times, in a scathing survey of Australia's refugee policies, was worried by exactly that point. "Some European officials," claimed the editorial board, "may be tempted to adopt the hard-approach Australia has used to stem a similar tide of migrants. That would be unconscionable."

It would be, but the issue of dealing with refugees ceased being a matter of conscience in Australian politics years ago. More typical are the views of the current immigration minister, Peter Dutton, who parrots the line that such a ruthless stance is actually humane. "Our policies are lawful. They are safe. And they work."

The grief for the drowned provides the perfect alibi to repress and deter refugees – they are being treated that way for their own good. "What Australians and the world did not see were the hundreds of others who were dying while trying to reach Australia in unseaworthy boats."

Various European governments have certainly shown Abbott-like tendencies in embracing domestic unilateralism, be it Hungary's wall solution or the Slovak response of only wanting Christian refugees. That way lies, not merely a good deal of madness, but a good deal of deflection.