David Marr is a self-described "bourgeois do-gooder". He's written for Fairfax Media, The Monthly, The Saturday Paper and Guardian Australia, appeared on Q&A, The Drum and Insiders and is the author of multiple in-depth profiles for the Quarterly Essay.

In this second part of our chat, I ask David to outline the complex and bleak politics surrounding our policies towards refugees. Why are we so terrified of the boats? Why do our politicians stoke those fears? Is there any possibility of a solution?

Part One of my conversation with David

A Very Canberra Comedy Festival Christmas

My 2016 stand-up show The World Keeps Happening at the Brisbane Comedy Festival

Dark Victory by David Marr and Marian Wilkinson

Cause of the Week: Doctors Without Borders (doctorswithoutborders.org)