The Abbott thingy is not a government but a FULL-BLOWN REGIME that would make many tin-pot despots envious. Whether the previous government was "dysfunctional or not" — which it was not —, the previous Labor administration still had reasonable tinges of democracy and equity for all... This one-off (hopefully) regime concoction of heartless crummies should bite the dust from its own shit — after having been sold to us (too many of us — not me) by the grand trumpeter of shit-selling: Uncle Rupe...

WikiLeaks Cables show no refugee policy, no matter how harsh and inhumane, can stop people from fleeing chaos in search of freedom and safety, writes Kellie Tranter.

The asylum seeker debate is an expedient way for politicians ‒ and probably corporateinterests ‒ to distract the citizenry from difficult domestic issues and circumvent pressure for progressive social change.

Focusing interest and energy on winning the war against “people smugglers” or ‘illegal maritime arrivals’ helps to maintain the status quo. It also gives government an opportunity to flex its muscle, to remind the public of the need for and efficacy of government at a time when government continues to be completely ineffectual in many other areas.

Operation Sovereign Borders’ weekly media briefings are the consolation prize for shutting down information flows. No details about self-harm incidents in detention centres are published and taxpayers are spared the discomfort of hearing about the enormous costs of the entire production.

At its present level, the ongoing “debate” about asylum seekers is an expression of the decay in both our thinking and in our society more generally. It’s difficult to imagine how far the consequences of our infatuation with “border patrol” will stretch.

Sadly, Australia isn’t alone on that score.

http://www.independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/the-tragic-futility-of-trying-to-stop-the-boats,5883

The sad rabid right-wing morons in Canberra have gravy on their shirt instead of generous gravitas in their hearts and they give this country a bad name...

For those who don't know, the terms of "sale or return" is used in commerce. You send your goods to a shop. The shop does not buy the goods from you, but when sales of your goods are made they give you the negotiated (wholesale) price... I say (wholesale) because there are several ways to negotiate this. In some agreements, you are the retailer and the seller is your agent, thus you can "impose" a non-negotiable selling price, an act which otherwise would be illegal for the shop. Should you sell wholesale, only a "recommended retail price" can be suggested in order not to restrict competition between shops. The agent takes its cut (a percentage of the retail price). But as the "retailer" you are obliged to take back the unsold goods from your "agent", after a certain time defined by the terms of the agreement. 

This is called "sale or return" agreement. I know enough of nifty business practices despite my ugly looks to have used this in the toon as "sail and return"... Just letting you know.