Dear Morrie
I’m very confused about recent events over here in Western Australia where we’ve witnessed several boatloads of illegal “refugees” landing on our nation’s doorstep, expecting to be admitted with no questions asked.
As you no doubt know, these people have been arriving regularly on our shores from Asia or the Middle East without going through any immigration or customs checks.
The government tells us these people shouldn’t be given entry to our country because they illegal immigrants – even though they may be the innocent victims of an elaborate people-smuggling racket.
I understand we shouldn’t simply throw our doors open to anyone who lands on our beaches.
But, at the same time, the fact these people risk their lives travelling thousands of kilometres through dangerous seas must surely indicate they are fleeing some sort of threat or intolerable situation in their homeland.
What do you think we should do about this problem?

Two Minds
Perth

Dear Two Minds,
I can understand your dilemma. We Aussies pride ourselves on our big hearts which match our big country.
At the same time, we – as people occupying an island continent – must always be vigilant against any threat to our national health and security from illegal imports, whether they be people or any sort of animals or plants that could carry diseases from countries that don’t enjoy our pristine social, economic or physical conditions.
Sure, controlled immigration over the past half a century has seen us develop into a tolerant, multicultural nation.
But we must all recognise that uncontrolled entry does indeed carry risks for all of us.
That’s why I’ve decided to do something to help allay the legitimate fears you and others hold while still adopting a compassionate and humanitarian approach to these poor unfortunate sods wanting to come to our land of plenty.
What I believe we need is a type of holding area – possibly in your own vast and largely unpopulated state – where these new arrivals can live until we sort out what to do with them.
No doubt you – like me – are shocked at the conditions these boat people are forced to endure at our less than glamorous detention centres.
Having visited one or two detention centres in my time, I can tell you they’re definitely not five-star hotels.
There’s no mini-bar for starters and you can forget about room service or in-house stickies on the teev.
My plan is to establish self-contained communities where those detained for trying to enter Australia illegally can live and work in peace and safety – contributing to our national wealth and not costing taxpayers like you and, in some financial years, me a red cent.
These communities would have all the facilities of your average small bush town, but would be securely fenced and patrolled so nobody could escape until their cases are assessed and a decision made either to admit them as dinki-di new Aussies or turn them around and tell them to hit the toe back to where they came from.
I reckon this is the right way to go and I hope you’ll help me get this idea off the ground and on the ground in good old WA.
I’ve already set up a special organisation to progress my idea.
So all you have to do is hit the tin for few thousand and I’ll be off and running before you know it.
Why not get your family and friends to contribute as well? Every little bit helps.
Send me a cheque made out to Creating A Safe Haven and I’ll soon get things moving.
Bugger it, to save your time and mine, just make it out to CASH.
I’ll be in touch.

Morrie

Morrie Bezzle is chairman of the Tirath Khemlani Business Migration Foundation
and executive director of the Filipino Marital Consultancy Pty Ltd.