Irrespective of the political, moral or philosophical values of Julie Gillards, Refugee Timor Solution to establish a Regional Refugee Processing Centre in East Timor. There are four good reasons why it is a good idea.
It just makes good economic and social sense for East Timor, just ask Naru who is frantically putting their hand up to once again have such a centre on their soil. The development of a major processing centre infrastructure will be both long term economically and socially positive for our developing neighbour. Through its establishment, ongoing maintenance, the ongoing sourcing of local produce and products, allied support services (eg: cooking, cleaning, laundry) and the training and employment of the Timorese to manage the centre, will create a range of long term positive economic and social outcomes for the Timorese.
Australia leads the region's international response to assist the Timorese to become an independent country and we have spent, and continue to spend, billions of dollars in military, government and NGO agencies ongoing support for their small nation. An East Timorese Processing Centre will reduce the Australian Taxpayers support in helping East Timor from being a 'failed nation state' (we just have to look at Fiji), as our timetable to remove itself from East Timor will hasten.
Remember that if East Timor 'fails' then there is an increased risk of terrorist bases on our regional neighbours shores. However in them becoming more stable with a strong economy, social stability and sound rule of law the risk of it 'failing' is dramatically reduced.
These four reasons sounds like a Win/Win/Win/Win to me.
Mal
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