How long before Palestinians and the media understand that declaring people as martyrs wins them zero sympathy?

The word martyr has very specific and negative religious connotations.

Anyone using this language is likely a threat to secular society and government.

former prime minister John Howard — long associated with a hardline stance on immigration and border control

Howard was the one to open the floodgates for immigration to Australia. Any other view of his policies is entirely revisionist.

Several rights groups, including RCOA, are urging for the 2014 ban to be lifted, so refugees stranded in Indonesia

How about they campaign for Indonesia to accept refugees. The majority of refugees are Muslim and Indonesia is primarily Muslim.

Australia should look at measures to force Indonesia to do its fair share accepting refugees.