http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/a-world-of-long-term-welfare-for-refugees/comments-e6freuzr-1226050094427 http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/blunder-on-refugees-costing-billions/story-e6frfifx-1226051494068

would you like to provide some evidence of this? its rubbish. first of all, as has been pointed out at other places many times, IT IS NOT ILLEGAL TO CLAIM ASYLUM IN ANOTHER COUNTRY. secondly, asylum seekers are not entitled to special welfare benefits. in a lot of cases they get considerably less than australian citizens. you might say, "well good, they should not be getting the same rates of welfare as citizens of the country". fair enough. but to claim they are getting 'more than double' exposes you as a fearmongering redneck. unless you are going to show us credible evidence from a reliable source (such as centrelink)? i won't hold my breath...

Actually, asylum seekers to date have received precious little in supports, to date. I think the new arrangements, which will see those currently behind bars move into the community, may grant them something like 80% of unemployment benefits. That's all. Asylum seekers have never received more than our old age pensioners. That is an urban myth, dreamed up and spread to raise levels of resentment.

*If they are found to be a genuine refugee

Also, it is important to note that asylum seekers are not 'illegal immigrants'. Illegal immigrants are those who do not meet legal requirements for entry into a country; however, under international law, everyone (including you or me) can legally enter a country if claiming asylum (see Article 14 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights). If that claim is rejected, and that person is not found to be a genuine refugee, then they are deported. If they are, they have legally entered the country.

Russell, can you please quote the sources for your statistics? ie. that refugees 'receive more than double the welfare benefits of the elderly' and that 'over 80% of refugees from places like Afghanistan are still dependent on welfare'.

Still dependent on welfare after 5 years I should have said...