http://www.news.com.au/national/prim...-1225947062350

Just throwing this one out here for discussion.

In my opinion, I can't see how we are getting the country into debt, requiring new taxes to pay it back and then handing over $500 million to another country for the sake of it? What benefit is this to Australia?

Surely half a billion dollars would be better spent in our own schools first? There are too many news reports of people 'graduating' who can't actually read.

There was once a time when we were thought of as the clever country...

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[COLOR="Gray"]550Nm off a 2L... Just wish it was in the dak dak...[/COLOR]

bribery at the highest level

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Funny looking German Subaru

Heard about this announcement this morning and I can't say that it sits well with me.
We have so many problems here in Australia still, $500 million could have gone a long way at addressing some of those problems.
I think the government is no longer capable of acting in the best interest of the citizens of this country.

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I guess this is part of the trade off for stopping the boats??

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MY00 WRX. 89 Prelude. 99 CRV

That is fucked up.. we could use that $500m.

Australia could have pledged a lower amount if they want to build international relations and no one would have battered an eyelid.. instead, half a billion bucks is going overseas.

Sorry to say this guys: But you did vote her in......

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Since when have problems in ones own backyard stopped countries from meddling / spending in another?..

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Fuck your signature

It's bullshit but if it helps stop the boats you could triple the amount and i'd still be all for it.

Don't think it will work though, might get Corby to an Aussie jail, that's about it.

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I voted for the donkey, never thought it would come up trumps

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The boats thing is a smoke screen.

Only a tiny percent of refugees come by boat, and it makes bugger all difference to our society. There are tens of thousands of "white" illegals from the UK, Europe South Africa etc that overstay their visas who don't contribute in any meaningful way to the development of this country.

The media makes large selling papers based on the fears of people sporting southern cross tatoos and fuck off we're full stickers - who have never lifted a finger for this country.

False nationalism gets in the way of real issues such as education as pointed out by the OP, health, quality of life, and minor things like ethics.

$500 million is being spent becuase of people being scared of a few boat people...

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2010 Hatch
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