Via Peter Hartcher:
Scott Morrison as immigration minister proposed a multibillion-dollar program to build new mass detention facilities in Australia for asylum seekers who were living in the community on bridging visas, according to multiple informed sources.
…Mr Morrison’s proposal was opposed by then treasurer Joe Hockey, who “hit the roof”, in the words of one participant at the meeting.
His main objection was not budgetary but humane, the source said. Hockey said that the government was not about to start rounding people up off the streets and putting them in mass detention centres, according to the participant.
It’s a stroke of genius. This could be the new immigration bait and switch. Round up every persecuted and abused victim of a foreign dictator in Australia and repeat the dose here while demonising all queue jumpers in the press.
Meanwhile, open floodgates to coolies by plane welcomed by nation building corporations seeking lower wages bills…
Voila! National unity.
