One of his typical themes is how "Australia doesn't need to be protected from asylum-seekers; asylum-seekers need to be protected from their persecutors". Mr Burnside must know that the ones most needing protection are those in refugee camps in (or just over the border from) countries where terrorist militias are actively wiping out villages and towns.

He knows that Australia's "boat people" make their perilous journeys, not from Afghanistan, Syria, Sudan and such countries where deadly persecution goes on 24/7, but from Indonesia, where they are already relatively safe.

Politicians talk about "border protection", confident that it's something Australians will vote for.

Mr Burnside speaks about "asylum-seekers' rights", knowing that will appeal to his likely audiences.

Genuine at-risk refugees awaiting migration away from active war zones, with no way of jumping the queue � they're the ones most needing someone to speak for them.

ARNOLD JAGO

Mildura