Tony Abbott has become Australia's 28th prime minister, declaring from today "Australia is under new management ."Abbott said he was "proud and humbled" to "shoulder the duties of government", as he spoke to his supporters today after his victorious win."I now look forward to forming a government that is competent, that is trustworthy, and which … Continue reading Australia has a new government
Tag: Politics
China concerned about Australian opposition leader; possible future leader
If the polls are right, conservative opposition leader Tony Abbott will be Australia's next prime minister. Abbott goes into tomorrow's election with little-to-no foreign policy experience, and throughout the campaign he offered few clues to his approach - especially regarding Australia's crucial relationship with China. But strategic experts are pinning their hopes on Abbott emulating … Continue reading China concerned about Australian opposition leader; possible future leader
Australian government focus on jobs, training ahead of election
Officially launching Labor's campaign, Kevin Rudd has urged voters to choose the ALP at this Saturday's election to save jobs and protect family budgets from Tony Abbott's cuts. Warnings about the Opposition Leader featured heavily in the Prime Minister's speech - a crucial address, especially given there are just five days left in the campaign. … Continue reading Australian government focus on jobs, training ahead of election
Australia’s opposition leader unfit for international diplomacy
Kevin Rudd has attacked Tony Abbott's character, questioning whether he has the temperament and judgment to handle international crises such as the human rights atrocities in Syria. After switching his campaign focus to diplomacy and national security, the Prime Minister last night used the unfolding events in Damascus to skewer the Opposition Leader over his … Continue reading Australia’s opposition leader unfit for international diplomacy
China’s ambassador to Australia speaks of important milestones
In three years as Chinese ambassador to Australia, I have witnessed the rapid development of China-Australia relations. Forty years after our two countries established diplomatic relations, a strategic partnership and the annual leaders meeting are important milestones in the development of bilateral ties. China-Australia co-operation has yielded fruitful results across the past three years. Bilateral … Continue reading China’s ambassador to Australia speaks of important milestones
Australians warned to leave Egypt
The federal government says the latest violence in Egypt is a terrible tragedy and has called for restraint from the military and protesters alike. Egypt's health ministry says at least 278 people have been killed in nationwide violence after police cracked down on loyalists of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. Foreign Minister Bob Carr says … Continue reading Australians warned to leave Egypt
Australian government recruits Obama’s social media team
The Australian Labor Party’s recruitment of “Team Obama’s” campaign heavyweights and “digital attacks dogs” for the upcoming election campaign is no surprise. Political parties around the globe, with varying degrees of success, are embracing social media because they have seen what it can do. According to the Pew Internet Project’s Civic Engagement in the Digital Age … Continue reading Australian government recruits Obama’s social media team
Rupert Murdoch’s vicious attacks on Australian government
The arrival of Col Allan in Australia is making a lot of people uneasy. Allan is a man widely known inside News Corporation as Col Pot, a play on the name of a Cambodian genocidal dictator. He is News Corp's most feared flamethrower in a company of flamethrowers and he has been sent to Australia … Continue reading Rupert Murdoch’s vicious attacks on Australian government
Australian election set for September 7th
Australians will go to the polls on September 7 after Kevin Rudd today fired the starting gun on a five-week election campaign. Mr Rudd said voters faced a stark choice. ''This election will be about who the Australian people trust to best lead them through the economic challenges ahead,'' the Prime Minister said. ''This will … Continue reading Australian election set for September 7th
Australia seen as patronising and arrogant by Indonesians
Many Indonesians find it hard to control their temper each time they read or hear any kind of provocative remark from the Australian media, military, politicians or celebrities. The country is perceived as an arrogant neighbour with a strong sense of superiority towards Indonesia and no more important agenda than to destroy its territorial integrity. … Continue reading Australia seen as patronising and arrogant by Indonesians
Australia moves to diversify away from China under Kevin Rudd’s leadership
Australia’s second-time Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has wasted no time hammering a nail in the coffin of the China boom after ending the political career of his predecessor. Making his first press statement Wednesday night after successfully challenging Julia Gillard for the Labor Party leadership, the Mandarin-speaking Rudd said Australians must diversify away from the … Continue reading Australia moves to diversify away from China under Kevin Rudd’s leadership
Kevin Rudd is Australia’s Prime Minister again
New Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will have to recruit a ministry short of critical experience as hostile ministers close to Julia Gillard refuse to serve under him. Treasurer Wayne Swan, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy have already stepped down, as have Climate Change Minister Greg Combet and Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig. Mr Rudd will have … Continue reading Kevin Rudd is Australia’s Prime Minister again
China’s bullying tactics backfire in Australia
China's new leader, Xi Jinping, has revived Chairman Mao's doctrine of the "mass line". The founder of modern China didn't want the masses to have a vote, but he did think that it was vitally important to understand their views. The "mass line" in Australia today contains an important message to Canberra, and to Beijing. … Continue reading China’s bullying tactics backfire in Australia
Major Australian newspaper calls for Prime Minister to resign
The following is today's editorial from Melbourne's The Age newspaper: It is time for Julia Gillard to stand aside as leader of the federal parliamentary Labor Party, as Prime Minister of Australia, so that vigorous, policy-driven democratic debate can flourish once again. Ms Gillard should do so in the interests of the Labor Party, in … Continue reading Major Australian newspaper calls for Prime Minister to resign
Kevin Rudd tipped to resume as Australia’s Prime Minister
Labor is being swept with expectations that Julia Gillard will be replaced as Prime Minister before parliament rises for the election, with Kevin Rudd now seen as the party's only hope of averting electoral disaster. Shocked by polling and amazed at the former prime minister's reception in Geelong on Friday, some of Ms Gillard's staunchest … Continue reading Kevin Rudd tipped to resume as Australia’s Prime Minister
Experts warn that China’s main motive in new deal is to prise Australia away from US
The "strategic partnership" announced this week between Australia and China is widely viewed within China and by experts internationally as a move in which Beijing hopes to start prising Canberra away from Washington on security matters. But this is a long-term strategy, which is easier for China's new leaders, who anticipate a 10-year term ahead, … Continue reading Experts warn that China’s main motive in new deal is to prise Australia away from US
Australia’s Foreign Minister brands Margaret Thatcher racist
Former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher made "unabashedly racist" comments during a conversation with Bob Carr, the Foreign Affairs Minister has told Lateline. Thatcher died on Monday morning (UK time) at the age of 87 and will be accorded a ceremonial funeral at London's St Paul's Cathedral next week. Senator Carr says he was "astonished" … Continue reading Australia’s Foreign Minister brands Margaret Thatcher racist
Many Afghans held by Australian troops are falsely accused
More than half the almost 1900 Afghans detained by Australian forces in Oruzgan may have been innocents falsely accused by local enemies , according to the province's chief of police, Matiullah Khan. They were named so their enemies could gain advantages in tribal, business or personal disputes. Asked about the numbers first put forward by … Continue reading Many Afghans held by Australian troops are falsely accused
Aboriginal recognition bill passes lower house in Australia
Parliament has taken another stride toward reconciliation on the fifth anniversary of the national apology to the stolen generation, as campaigners urged MPs on both sides not to give up. Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott put aside politics on Wednesday as the lower house passed legislation to create an Act of … Continue reading Aboriginal recognition bill passes lower house in Australia
Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard predicts Kevin Rudd comeback
Former prime minister John Howard says Kevin Rudd - the man who beat him in 2007 - could make a move for the Labor Party leadership before the federal election. Mr Howard says Mr Rudd's ousting as prime minister in 2010 by Julia Gillard was very unusual. "The extraordinary thing about the politics in the … Continue reading Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard predicts Kevin Rudd comeback
Australian Liberals would give Kevin Rudd diplomatic post if they win government
Labor MP Kevin Rudd has talents and experience that could land him a diplomatic appointment under a coalition government, deputy opposition leader Julie Bishop says. Ms Bishop says if she were to become foreign minister, Mr Rudd would be considered for any role with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. "If Kevin wants to … Continue reading Australian Liberals would give Kevin Rudd diplomatic post if they win government
Australia: Kevin Rudd reignites leadership speculation with barefoot bowls tournament
It is a rollback to the heady days of Kevin07. More than five years after Kevin Rudd filled television screens and Facebook pages from dusk until dawn in his campaign for The Lodge, the self-described "humble" backbencher is again reigniting leadership speculation with a blitz of mainstream and social media. As Julia Gillard jetted-off for … Continue reading Australia: Kevin Rudd reignites leadership speculation with barefoot bowls tournament
Australian Prime Minister urged to use Kevin Rudd in election campaign
Pressure is growing on Julia Gillard to exploit Kevin Rudd's popularity with the electorate and elevate his role in the election campaign, with four members of her cabinet now publicly declaring that the former prime minister is an asset for the party. Two of the Prime Minister's key supporters, Victorian Right faction powerbrokers Stephen Conroy … Continue reading Australian Prime Minister urged to use Kevin Rudd in election campaign
Australian government compared to Nazis by Opposition frontbencher
Remarks comparing the federal government to the Nazi party are offensive and hurtful, new federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus says. Coalition frontbencher Christopher Pyne on Sunday said the federal government was unravelling like Hitler's government in the movie Downfall. Mr Pyne said the resignation of two senior ministers and Prime Minister Julia Gillard's subsequent reshuffle showed … Continue reading Australian government compared to Nazis by Opposition frontbencher
Senior Cabinet ministers resign from Australian government
The Gillard government's turbulent start to the new parliamentary year continues with the shock resignation of two of Labor's most senior Cabinet ministers, the Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and the government's leader in the Senate, the Higher Education Minister, Chris Evans. Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced a mid-level reshuffle of her Cabinet this morning announcing, among … Continue reading Senior Cabinet ministers resign from Australian government
Craig Hill 