Many of us hoped that under Malcolm Turnbull's tutelage, the Coalition had significantly changed course - away from John Howard's narrow nationalism.
Well, judging by its performance on the border protection issue, particularly the contributions of Ruddock and Andrews, it has barely moved. It goes without saying that we do not want hordes of refugees turning up in dangerous unseaworthy vessels, but suggestions that that is the trend are scaremongering attempts to revive Yellow Peril fears, and to justify the discredited Howard Pacific solution. To suggest that the Rudd government's changes are inviting a flood of boat people is both inaccurate and mischievous, as well as inciting racist reactions.
Of course there has been an increase in such arrivals, but this increase merely reflects events in the countries concerned. In the case of Afghans, the increased flow is clearly to do with the security situation on the ground there, which allied military leaders keep telling us is deteriorating. And in Iraq, sectarian violence continues, causing many Iraqis to fear what will happen if the Americans finally pull out. Can we not sympathise with these people for seeking a safer environment and a secure future?
As for the Sri Lankan Tamils, whose boat was turned back last week by the Indonesian Navy, their flight is also understandable, and deserves our sympathy and understanding. The Sri Lankan Government's heavy-handed treatment of Tamils, following the defeat of the Tigers, has reportedly caused a great deal of distress, attracting criticisms from United Nations agencies. In considering these cases, we need to take into account UN conventions which state clearly that based on well-founded fears of persecution, all persons have a right to flee their country and seek refuge in another.
And as 95 per cent of these refugees choose other countries, there is surely no special threat to Australia, for their journey is both hazardous and costly.
In these circumstances, let us respond humanely, while doing what we can to discourage these dangerous voyages. Let our political leaders talk less about border protection and people smugglers, and spend a bit more time understanding why these people are fleeing their countries, and then dealing with the root problem.
Above all, we should reject calls for a return to Howards Pacific Solution, which affected Australia's international standing.
In his short time in office, Barack Obama has managed to lead the international community towards a new agenda, one designed to strengthen the UN system, deal with climate change and move towards a nuclear weapon-free world.
It offers new hope, as well as repairing the damage inflicted by the Bush administration.
In this way his leadership has been inspirational, even attracting support from some of the United States' leading international detractors like Gaddafi.
From the point of view of peacemaking, encouraging this trend is vitally important, so Obama and his supporters deserve to be encouraged.
Right now his biggest detractors are those Americans on the right side of politics, so the way ahead is not going to be easy.
James Dunn is an author with four decades of experience as a foreign affairs official and with UN agencies.
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