We all know about international refugee conventions but, in my opinion, they are now outdated and in urgent need of revision.

In a world where there are over 40 million displaced people and which is, according to demographic experts, already 100 per cent over carrying capacity at the present rate of consumption, no country especially one with a generous, enviable lifestyle like Australia, can afford to have an open border policy when it comes to people supposedly seeking asylum but in my opinion, actually moving between countries and “shopping around” for the best way of life and welfare availability.

Why should the population of this country have their peaceful, relatively uncrowded way of life put at risk by thousands of people from countries that have been either unable or unwilling to sustain their numbers or improve their way of life?

Why should we have to accept abhorrent cultural practices which have no place in a country that champions “easygoingness”, community harmony and equal rights for women?

With so-called globalisation undermining our national sovereignty, our food production and manufacturing industries, I shudder to think of the “Lucky Country” ending up in the same chaos as some European countries, battling unemployment, crime and ethnic tensions following the influx of thousands of desperate people from desperate, often corruptly-governed countries, and also from countries that have been turned upside down by the USA and its allies.

I have tried to find out whether our government is doing anything about the thousands of visa over-stayers currently in this country, and the silence is deafening.

I wonder why?

Ms A Hodges

Birdwood