Comment has been in the general media about Immigration Minister Scott Morrison using the term "illegal" to describe boat people.
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These boat people are persons of financial means, sufficient to fund air and sea travel and accommodation, choosing not to pursue usual channels for resettlement and unwilling to join persons in refugee camps throughout the world.
These boat people further disadvantage refugees who have, in many cases, waited 10-20 years applying through the UNHCR for resettlement in Australia and elsewhere, unable to pursue travel by air and sea as they have no money or papers.
How should the minister describe the boat people, desperate as they may be, if they have not arrived in Australia by legal means?
Or are there other descriptions, carefully crafted, to encourage such unsafe and unfair arrivals?
Australia, as one of the world's generous and caring countries, should increase our intake of genuine refugees who have waited for years to seek a better future in a country of opportunity.
Economic refugees — including recent arrivals in Indonesia — do not fit the description of those I have highlighted for speedy resettlement.
Scott Morrison is right in being direct in his language about boat people whilst still having a sincere and compassionate approach to the re-settlement of those who want to come to Australia.
Monsignor Brian Rayner, Gymea
