One of the problems with using the Australian Military to save folk by ship is that they didn't have any life-vests for children, so the kids had to be saved... a bit later....after they found some appropriate gear. The Australian Defence Forces are far better equipped to drop white phosphorous bombs across the middle east on small towns than it is well equipped to help little folk of their own. The issue of using boats to save refugees of the Mallacoota fire also brings into irony the Prime Minister's proud claim to fame...of stopping refugee boats from coming to Australia for safety. "Go back to where you came from" as Australian International Policy, has a distinct irony in these hot unrelenting days. "Be careful, Some of those children, and the women, may carry terrorist fire with them..."