Opinion is divided in the Australian media as to whether Prime Minister John Howard is taking a brave stance against the people-smuggling gangs targeting Australia or whether he has grossly mishandled the situation and undone the massive public relations boost Australia got from the Sydney Olympics.
In its editorial yesterday the Sydney Morning Herald made it very clear it backed the government's tough stance. "The use of Special Air Service (SAS) troops to prevent the MS Tampa entering Australia is the logical outcome of the decision to refuse entry to this latest contingent of unlawful arrivals," it said.
Indonesia, it added, should not allow itself be used a base for people-smugglers and refugees should be returned to that country.
Sydney's Daily Telegraph sang from the much the same hymn sheet, arguing that since the Tampa had illegally entered Australian waters, the SAS troops had a right to be on board. And, like the Sydney Morning Herald, it argued for the return of the would-be refugees to Indonesia. It also said the UN had no part to play in any resolution of the crisis.
"For years, this body has ignored its responsibilities in terms of people-smugglers who use Indonesia as a transit lounge for illegal immigrants bound for Australia.
" It has done nothing to alert Indonesia to its responsibilities".
The Australian, however, found that the government's response betrayed "an unwillingness to accept the reality of the global refugee problem, while allowing Australia's national interest to be caught up in its own domestic political interests."
At the Age the sentiment was sympathetic to Mr Howard but it still said Australia should help the refugees.
"The Prime Minister is right to insist that Australia cannot allow unrestricted entry. But a container ship with a human cargo cannot be willed away".
