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Campaign countdown: Gillard’s boat springs a leak

Tory Maguire

by Tory Maguire

08 Jul 05:45am

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Filed under: Asylum Seekers, Boat People, Campaign Countdown, Election 2010, Immigration, Julia Gillard, Politics, Refugees

150 comments

Update 4.50pm: The Prime Minister appears to have got herself into serious hot water over her plan for a regional processing centre, just telling Brisbane radio 4BC that she never said where it was going to be. You can listen to the interview here. The Australian is also reporting East Timor’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao has requested Gillard hold off calling him until her plan is more mature.

Gillard preparing to invade East Timor. Picture: Brad Fleet

Julia Gillard took to the high seas yesterday in a bid to sell her new Dili Solution on boat people, but it was her voyage on HMAS Lateline last night that may have left her feeling a little green about the gills.

A slightly disheveled-looking PM was grilled by Tony Jones over the details of her plan for a “regional processing centre” for boat people and put in a less than glossy performance.

Under pressure from Jones over her failure to deal with East Timor’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao before announcing her bold plan, Gillard uncharacteristically fell back on bureucratic speak, putting words like “tasked” and “auspiced” on high rotation. (“Auspiced” - good grief).

Jones also got to ask what many people had been dying to since the PM’s speech without questions to the Lowy Institute on Tuesday morning - what’s plan B if East Timor says “no”?

No answer to that question was forthcoming. If you missed it you can watch the interview here.

Gillard is busily trying to tie up the many lose ends of her proposal after those in the know said she made a serious blunder by only discussing the idea with East Timor’s President Jose Ramos Horta, and not its Prime Minister Gusmao.

Critics pointed out Ramos Horta is the equivalent of Australia’s Governor-General Quentin Bryce, and in no position to make any decisions on the matter.

East Timor expert Professor Damian Kingsbury, of Deakin University told the Daily Telegraph’s Paul Toohey: “Gillard might have a clever plan up her sleeve (in approaching Horta) but I doubt it. It appears she has been badly advised. Gusmao is going to be a bit pissed off that he hasn’t been consulted on this. If he engages with this at all, he will be looking to extract a high price.”

This morning’s Sydney Morning Herald quotes East Timor’s Deputy Prime Minister Jose Luis Guterres as saying it’s “very unlikely” his government would agree to the plan.

The Age says the Indonesians are also peeved because Gillard did not honour Kevin Rudd’s agreement with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to give him a heads up before making any major policy changes on the issue.

“East Timor plan falters”, reads a strap on the front page of The Australian, with its lead story also kicking off with Guterres’ concerns. Yup, there’s a pattern here.

It seems the only people Gillard hasn’t upset with her handling of the proposal is the Kiwis. So far anyway.

None of this stopped Gillard’s attempts to make political mileage with the policy yesterday. She even took Western Sydney MP David Bradbury, the Member for Lindsay, to Darwin with her to play about on some cool new boats, in case the people of his land-locked and highly marginal electorate missed the message.

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150 comments

Show oldest | newest first

    • Rob r Charteris says:

      07:06am | 08/07/10

      I think over all Tony Jones was grabbing at straws tying a bunch of unrelated stuff into this regional processing centre. It seems now the East Timor is open to the idea. Julia needed to make a move on it and so she did. I think she is now copping flak for being open, which is a little sad really it’s damned if you do and damned if you dont. I also believe her policy porposal direction is the right one regardless of whether you want to pick it apart, a lot better than comrade Abbott the white Rabbit.

      Reply

    • Brad of Bentleigh says:

      08:35am | 08/07/10

      “I think she is now copping flak for being open” - ahhh, none so blind…

    • Wayne Fehlhaber says:

      09:18am | 08/07/10

      Rob r Charteris :  Time to face facts Rob , the Timorese Prime Minister ,
      Xanana Gusmao , has expressed disquiet and doubt on Gillard’s proposal . His Deputy and several M.P.‘s also expressed their concerns at Gillard’s announcement before the matter has gone before Timor’s Parliament.
      Another unbelievable aspect to this latest fiasco , since the demise of the Rudd/Gillard government , is that P.M. Gillard is considering a costly duplication of infrastructure on Timor which already exists on Nauru .
      The same adviser’s who gave Gillard advice on the BER school buildings rip-off must have assisted Gillard in this latest fiasco.
      There is no political mileage in this bungle for the Labor party’s campaign to gain another three years for dishing out more of the same on an angry Australian electorate.

    • Rosie says:

      09:29am | 08/07/10

      As my granddaughter would say “Caught”

      Ms Gillard has lost “Wonder Woman” touch and is now copping the flak for all her rushed political fixes!

      Congratulations to Tony Jones, the first interviewer to get our appointed PM’s “knickers in a knot” Need I say more????????

      Completely different picture of Tony Abbott on TV this morning! It was refreshing like the morning dew to see him at the markets amongst those that provide our fresh fruit and vegies.

    • Jason says:

      09:30am | 08/07/10

      East Timor is open to the idea? Oh ok, where did you read or hear
      that?
      The red emporer appears to have thrown out another ‘5 minute on the run’ policy.  If anything East Timor will hold out because they know this incompetent rabble will pay anything to see this through.  How much have they offered the East Timor government Rob?  What if East Timor say no, what is plan B, Rob?
      You’re the one spruiking this great policy.

    • James says:

      09:44am | 08/07/10

      The gloss is wearing off already with people I talk to. A week ago she was a novelty being a woman PM (even if unelected), now reality is setting in and peoples opinions are now coming to the conclusion that she isn’t “new” after all - just a coat of paint on a crumbling building.

    • The Scarlet Pimpernel says:

      09:56am | 08/07/10

      It was incredibly arrogant (and ignorant) of Gillard to announce this ‘‘policy’’ as a fait accompli when she had not even spoken to Xanana. However, it may yet come off if the Govt has any influence over Woodside. Xanana may say yes if Woodside are prepared to process the LPG onshore, thus creating jobs for the East Timorese.

      However, there are a number of other issues. East Timor is predominately Catholic, its troublesome neighbour predominately Muslim. If there are problems with the refugees (hunger strikes, riots, escapes) , then it could stir up a real hornets’ nest. Add to that the fact that the refugees, if funded by Australia, are likely to have a higher standard of living than the average East Timorese and you have the seeds of resentment and trouble ready to sow.

      Frankly, given there are 144 signatories to the Convention and some of them are Muslim, we’d be better off giving one of them the money to look after their fellow Muslims.

    • Doh says:

      09:56am | 08/07/10

      Not so brilliant now is she Rob.

      She was no more open with the ETs that Rudd was with the miners.  If you call that behaviour “open” then you need to reassess your values.

      Jones was not clutching at straws, he just wanted a straight answer.

      I almost fell of my chair listening to the interview, what have they done with the real Tony Jones?  Can we keep the new one??

    • Joan says:

      10:26am | 08/07/10

      There is nothing to pick apart ..... you can’t pick apart spin. Gillard doesn’t even have the ingredients together to make the pudding.  Gillard has no solution to current boat arrivals just dreamy spin - like a spider just out to catch its prey with a spun webb- Gillard has caught you with her spin.

    • Don says:

      11:34am | 08/07/10

      Vote for Joools and this lot comrades , and you all be liberated and set free , and drive around in a big limo with a blonde on each arm.

      Of course , when you are liberated and set free , you will do as you are told.            so there.

    • DD Ball says:

      12:08pm | 08/07/10

      The change in leader did not mean a change in suit. This idea was half baked and used to gain applause from the usual crowd. It won’t stand up to scrutiny. Indonesia could not have been used as a base because they were not signed to the UN’s refugee accord. Unity in diversity and all that. There is an important difference between Gillard’s final solution and the Pacific Solution and that is the Pacific Solution worked because it was lined up before it was announced.

    • luke09 says:

      01:07pm | 08/07/10

      Julia Gillard is failing as badly as Kevin Rudd and her BER policy. Her border control policy has been rejected by east timor and new zealand. There has been no talks with either country, the same with the mining tax, hardly any consultation with many small miners. She is taking spin to a complete new level.

      Achieving very little in the way of real action, she is an empty vessel piloted by others controlling the levers.

    • Ben G says:

      01:46pm | 08/07/10

      Rob r Charteris, how can you praise Gillard and write off Abbott on immigration? It’s the Coalitions plan! The only difference is “Narau” is crossed out and “East Timor” is written in its place. Oh, and Xanana Gusmao is definitely peeved, that’s not media spin.
      Let me guess, you like the Monkeys and think the Beatles are terrible?

    • All says:

      03:42pm | 08/07/10

      Timor government knew nothing about the idea until Gillard told them what she was going to do at her policy launch. Imagine our reaction if the President of Indonesia had a chat with GG Quentin Bryce, told her he was going to build a refugee camp in the NT and move refugees from other countries there, as well as any who entered Indonesia. QB says OK go for it. Then he has a chat with New Guinea and says you can use it too. Policy announcement and when asked if he has approached the Australian Government replies ” I’m too busy, I’ll tell them what we are doing sometime next week. After all I have decided that it is what I am doing so I will give them a couple days to get used to the idea and accept it”  Seem far fetched? Think again it is what Gillard has done to Timor. Clutching at straws? Don,t think so. To have Tony Jones expose a Labor politcian shows how stupid and arrogant Gillard has been, after all the honeymoon and election are not over yet. But it was interesting to see Gillard give Tony a filthy look at the end of the interview, similar to the ones Rudd was giving Kerry O’Brien in his final days. Most un ABC like. By the way, the time frame for this? In the dim future, so how many more dangerous boat trips between now and then? After the election the idea will gather dust and never be raised again.

    • Ben Colby says:

      08:03pm | 08/07/10

      Im absoluetly amazed at the media spin. I watched her statement and not once did she say it would be in east timor she did however speak with the President so how has she been caught out? More media spin and people fall for it hook line and sinker by the looks of comments in this forum. I think its sad that people believe anything.

    • Richard says:

      07:31am | 08/07/10

      The Labor party is now blundering about like a decapitated chicken. I simply cannot wait for the next major poll to be released so that everyone (including the media) will finally realise how dead they really are.

      Reply

    • Phil says:

      08:48am | 08/07/10

      Unfortunately Richard, as a Liberal Voter, I think you may be wrong. Her honeymoon will still be going along sterlingly then.

      If she rushes to a poll, she looks desperate. Liberals must be hoping that she waits, as after times like these they look more and more electable every day.

      This is her ETS. East Timor Solution!!!

      Lets hope she tries the Carbon Price shortly. That will be the last nail in her coffin.

    • MarK says:

      10:40am | 08/07/10

      O hai Richard.

      You desperate too old bean.

      I can’t wait for more announcements by Joolia. First the tax lie. Now this “policy” that unfortunately seems a bit off given that East Timor sort of said “no”.

      I can’t wait for the next installment. If this is clearing the decks I would already be in a life raft.

    • Richard Tuffin says:

      07:37am | 08/07/10

      That was a pretty full on welcome to Lateline for Julia in her first interview on there since becoming PM.  I actually can’t help wondering given that Tony Jones was actually quite harsh with Julia as to whether or not she’ll get a bit of a sympathy flowing on from it.

      Given all the commentary and speculation regarding how Tony Abbott will have to watch his step in his attacks on Julia, it’ll be interesting to see what reaction there will be to a member of the media not pulling any punches when taking her on the way TJ did last night.

      Obviously our new PM wouldn’t want any special treatment by anyone, either from the media or from the shark pool of politicians from all sides, but what will the reaction of the public be when she gets savaged like she was last night?

      Welcome to #LateLineLand, Madam PM!

      @richardtuffin

      @RichardTuffin

      Reply

    • Daryl says:

      08:42am | 08/07/10

      She wasn’t savaged! She was asked some very simple questions like “why didn’t you ask the Prime Minister of the country you plan to inflict this on, if he is OK with your plan”? “What if they disagree, do you have a plan B”? And he also asked “why the government would waste millions building another facility when one already exists”? And it was clear from the PMs answers that Labor has created a potentially embarressing diplomatic mess and failed to think through yet another anouncement. They have rushed this out as a pre-election stunt and like the lies they told during the last campaign (wont touch the private health rebate, we’ll build 200+ childcare facilities, we’ll turn the boats around, grocery choice, fuelwatch, more affordable housing etc etc) I doubt they plan to deliver anyway. They must think the public are stupid! Don’t have a go at Tony Jones for doing his job. At last someone who is willing to hold the government accountable for their mess, rorts and waste of taxpayers money.

    • Steve Turner says:

      09:59am | 08/07/10

      Richard, this is one of the first tough interviews Jones has given to a Labor figure, normally this is reserved for Libs only. For instance earlier this year in interviews with Swan and then Hockey, Hockey was interupted 17 times, Swan not once.
      Seems to demonstrate that the Gillrudd position on boatpeople is so hopeless that even Tony Jones cannot be constrained.

    • TimB says:

      07:53am | 08/07/10

      So we have another rushed, half-baked policy. Wonderful.

      I look forward to seeing the defense for this one. I’m sure it will be entertaining.

      Reply

    • Richard M says:

      08:11am | 08/07/10

      What utter, biassed nonsense.  I saw the interview on Lateline, and Gillard was calm,  articulate, forceful and convincing.  It was in fact interviewer Tony Jones who made a fool of himself by asking stupid, simplistic questions and then repeating them several times when he didn’t get the answer he wanted - just another typical Australian political interview, in other words. The fact is that Gillard has outlined a proposal, not a finalised, every i dotted and t crossed agreement.  It is ridiculous, and typical of the reporting of politics in this country, to expect such a thing after she has been PM for a few days.  As to the rubbish about the supposed reaction of the East Timorese and the Indonesians, it is just that: rubbish.  It is extremely unwise to believe the half-baked speculations of the negative nabobs of our political media.

      Reply

    • Dash says:

      09:01am | 08/07/10

      What? Did we see the same interview? Yes Gillard was calm and forceful but no way was she articulate or convincing. All she said was “I have made a committment to the Australian people to talk to the region”. That’s not a policy! She deserved to get hammered in the interview. Richard, the government made an announcement about an idea and dressed it up as a policy! They haven’t even spoken to the East Timor government about what they plan to inflict on them! Come on, any reasonable person would be able to see through this as nothing more than an pre-election stunt. Yes the questions were simplistic. Why then couldn’t Gillard provide a coherent answer. “We have a solution” has suddenly turned into “I’m prepared to talk to the region about a possible solution”. This is a classic example of our governments incompetence! Given the lies this government told during the last election, it’s extremely unwise to believe anything that comes out of Gillards mouth whether it sounds articulate or not. The list of promises not delivered or backflips performed is astounding for a government not yet through a single term. And the two strongest ministers they had have now resigned (Tanner and Faulkner) in a massive vote of no confidence. This lot must go!

    • Brad Price says:

      09:30am | 08/07/10

      Your right Richard M. Why get your facts straight with agreements in place with a solid plan to present to your constituents. Who has the time for that kind of stuff these days.

      The Labor party certainly agrees with you. Keep up the good work.

    • Julie Coker-Godson says:

      09:31am | 08/07/10

      The East Timorese, in the form of Xunana Gusmao the Prime Minister of East Timore has made himself very clear on this subject - he does not want a regional processing centre in his country.  His country has enough problems of its own without adding to it.  This whole episode is very embarrassing for this country and its people and, as I’ve commented elsewhere on The Punch, no policy announcement should ever have been made without an agreement in writing between the countries concerned and there is no way that is going to happen between now and an election.  There is no “half-baked speculation of the negative nabobs of our political media”:  this is an embarrassing fact, like it or not!

    • Doh says:

      10:07am | 08/07/10

      @dash - it must have been a different interview, maybe Richard was watching the 730 Report interview prior to Rudd’s demise.

      “every i dotted and t crossed”

      Now where have I heard that before…...and look how well that went…..

      “Gillard was calm,  articulate, forceful and convincing”

      She was evasive, deceitful, unconvincing and completely unable to provide a straight answer.

      “supposed reaction of the East Timorese”

      I guess you did not hear Horta’s interview on Lateline?  The ETs have no idea what Gillard is up to and their list of demands/requirements that Oz will need to pay for is extensive and will be expensive.  The worst part is the hypocrisy considering how Gillard badly Gillard lampooned Howard.

      Piss poor policy on the run and a another un-diplomatic slap in the face of our neighbours.

    • Anthony of WA says:

      08:23am | 08/07/10

      Good on you Julia Gillrudd, it was your policy that has got you into this mess.
      Can anyone spot the difference between the Rudd and Gillrudd government? they sure know how to stuff things up.

      Reply

    • Joan says:

      08:29am | 08/07/10

      Gillard` s discussion only with Horta , is like me discussing possiblitly of a cancer with medical receptionist before I make my appointment with Dr. Gillard doesn’t even have an appointment with Gusmao - yet she presents regional East Timor as her solution to boat arrivals, publicly brags about it as if it were a fait accompli. Gillard has stepped into Rudds spin shoes and media and some public fall head over heels for it.  Scott Morrison is the awake to the fact that any real regional solution is a loooonnnnngggg way off. and no solution for current situation.

      Reply

    • Kate says:

      12:25pm | 08/07/10

      Same people pulling the strings at the back.  This is the same government doesn’t matter who the icing on the top is.

    • ibast says:

      08:30am | 08/07/10

      After this, she will be better off calling a later election.  Get this issue sorted and thus take it off the agenda during the campaign.

      Reply

    • Dash says:

      08:31am | 08/07/10

      Did anyone see the PM on the TV last night? It was clear that this is another “policy” not thought through properly by Labor. What a disgrace that Gillard is telling Timor that this is going to happen without even consulting with their government! The interview quickly turned into “we are going to discuss” “I have made a firm committment to the Australian people to talk this over”. What? That’s not a solution! Clearly there is no firm policy, there has been no agreement, this was thrown together as a quick fix for the campaign trail. Then to make matters worse, Gillard made it clear that she had no idea what would happen if East Timor said no! So watch now as the government promises a boat load of cash to save face yet again! Timor clearly hasn’t agreed to anything yet. This government must be the most incompetent pack of pelicans this country has ever seen. All talk and no action, gackflips, rorts and waste. They can’t even manage to implement a new tax properly! Surely people wont be stupid enough to vote for this again??

      Reply

    • Julie Coker-Godson says:

      09:35am | 08/07/10

      @Dash:  please apologise to the pelicans. LOL

    • Dash says:

      10:31am | 08/07/10

      I’d like to make it clear to everyone that I sincerely apologise to all the Pelicans who I have unfairly tarnished through my comments.

    • Wayne L Fehlhaber says:

      08:31am | 08/07/10

      This is unbelieveably naive of an Australian Prime Minister to work on a assumption that agreement would be forthcoming on a major proposal not yet placed before the Timor government . Gillard had one discussion with Ramos Horta , took his word as affirmation and rushed into announcement mode.
      This gaffe provides an insight into the type of information being supplied to Gillard by her political advisers . It has be the same quality of info supplied to the P.M. on the tendering process for the BER school buildings program , which has seen the public purse ripped off to the tune of millions of dollars of taxpayers money.
      Another bungle in this fiasco is that infrastructure already exists on Nauru for detention and processing of illegal entrants . It is amazing to think that this Labor government is actually considering a duplication of costly infrastructure after the incredible waste Australians have witnessed under the Rudd/Gillard government.
      Timor Prime Minister , Xanana Gusmao , has expressed doubt and disquiet
      on the whole idea , and his Deputy and other M.P.‘s have done the same.
      How an Australian Prime Minister could rush into making an important announcement involving another country , without proper consultation , is anyone’s guess.  Seems that the same advisers may have been involved inthe R.S.P.T. farce.
      There is no political mileage in this latest disaster for the Labor party’s campaign to retain power.

      Reply

    • Anthony of WA says:

      09:17am | 08/07/10

      Wayne, I completely agree with you, however I think it is billions of dollars not millions that have been wasted in Gillrudds BER.

    • Wayne Fehlhaber says:

      09:33am | 08/07/10

      Anthony of W.A.  :  Yes , i think you are closer to the mark , i leaned to the lighter valuation as i was unable to locate the actual estimation of the rip-off.  Gets rather frightening when you know that Labor are desperate to win another three years to dish out more of the same.

    • Julie Coker-Godson says:

      09:40am | 08/07/10

      Agreed Wayne.  Any applicant for an Australian Public Service position, having reached interview stage, would be expected to be able to answer a question on the chain of command.  If the applicant fails this one, they usually don’t get the position.  How can our PM not know the chain of command in East Timore?  Gross disrespect all around in my humble opinion.

    • Ripa says:

      10:40am | 08/07/10

      Naive to work on assumption?, i dunno, east Timor sea, gas, oil… *shrug*
      Im just sayin.

    • Ben says:

      01:24pm | 08/07/10

      Well said Wayne. Couldn’t be more on the money!

    • John A Neve says:

      03:15pm | 08/07/10

      Wayne,

      Sadly, I fail to see any real difference between the Labor and coalition’s policies with regard to the boat people. Neither in my view are new ideas and worse, both will fail to deliver what is promised.

      The bulk of illegal entries to this country are by air anyway!!

    • Wayne Fehlhaber says:

      05:43pm | 08/07/10

      John Neve :  Yes John , that is partly correct , however , when they come by air , they have to come via the front door where we have our security in place ,  and stand a fair chance of detecting the ilegal entry attempts.
      As to the effectiveness of the Coalition’s policy , under the Howard/Costello government , the boats were slowed to a mere trickle.
      You will note that the trickle became a flood when the Rudd/Gillard govt.lifted Howard’s border protection. It speaks for itself John.

    • Mickey_Maoist says:

      08:34am | 08/07/10

      Gillard is now paying the price for attempting to appease those in the Western Suburbs of Sydney whose minds have been roused into a state of festering hatred by the emotion-laden BS of Tony Abbott,  toxic talkback rabblerousers and the dumb monkeys of the Murdoch media cesspits.  Chuck the lot of them onto Christmas Island, leave a bucket of slops for them to feed on and install Prince William in the Lodge to sort this trash out.

      Reply

    • Brad of Bentleigh says:

      01:24pm | 08/07/10

      Exactly what “emotion-laden BS” has Tony Abbott actually released? Could you post some links to actual quotes? It would seem to me that you, along with a good chunk of the media (the author of this peice included) are simply making this up… a bit of the old group think/speak.

      Regarding talk back, and the Murdoch press… that old pesky free speech thing again… let’s be done with it eh? and have a dictatorship… you’re not a Hugo fan by any chance? tongue laugh

    • Julie Coker-Godson says:

      06:02pm | 08/07/10

      I beg to differ about who has been dealing out the BS causing NSW people’s minds to be “roused into a state of festering hatred by the emotion-laden BS of Tony Abbott”.  Methinks the state of festering hatred has been brought about by the abysmal non-performance of the NSW State Labor Government with its, multiple premiers, multiple scandals, almost bankrupt health, lousy public transport etc.  need I go on?  Nothing to do with Tony Abbott.  We should put all Labor politicians onto Christmas Island, leave a bucket of slops for them to feed on and install Prince Charles and Camilla in the Lodge to sort this trash out.

    • Luke says:

      08:35am | 08/07/10

      Wow, that interview with Tony Jones should be compulsory viewing for all voters before the election. The true Julia Gillard, full of spin, can’t answer questions and totally out of her depth as a Prime Minister. I don’t think she was even aware what the difference between the Presidient and the Prime Mninister of Timor is.

      Reply

    • BobM says:

      11:22am | 08/07/10

      @Luke, you’re probably right. She no doubt thought she was going ‘right to the top’ to speak to the President!  Just goes to show what bunch of amateurs the Labor party is. I guess it’s what happens when you take advice from Union hacks.

    • Alice says:

      08:36am | 08/07/10

      Astoundingly revealing Lateline interview.  Cringeworthy.  Our beautiful country will be a South Pacific embarrassment if Miss Gillard’s nonsense continues.

      She is unacceptably dictating to East Timor - her forceful “relentless determination” and entire approach to the leadership is something awful. Honestly, Australia could stop the boats under our own steam!  We regard Miss Gillard’s attempt to drag our quiet neighbours into this mess as highly offensive. When this goes belly up (as all her projects have in the past) how will we extricate ourselves from a situation that is clearly wrong from the outset?  We are looking down the Labor prism of another uncosted, highly questionable, regional political and diplomatic catastrophe.

      Miss Gillard is a proven incompetent, she is already unravelling.  Her verbal communications akin to someone talking to a group of slow learners.  Is she talking “down” to our neighbours like this too?  East Timor would be well advised to give this type of megaphone interference from Australia a very wide berth. 

      With odd-ball side-kicks like Ferguson, Arbib, Shorten and Howes on Australia’s leadership team, we are seeing just how quickly our government can be reduced to an international laughing stock. 
      Miss Gillard makes us nervous, and the last two weeks have confirmed everything we felt uneasy about during her earlier stuff-ups. 

      Rudd’s time was up.  We should have been permitted an opportunity to deliver our verdict at the polls, but even that democratic option has been removed.  Miss Gillard’s overbearing backers replaced Mr Rudd with a less than mediocre option.

      These are not good days for my country.  I suspect that the shadowy union figures behind Miss Gillard will call an election quickly.  They will not allow us to see any more performances like the unguarded clarity we got last night on Lateline.

      Reply

    • Springs says:

      10:12am | 08/07/10

      When you say “we”, Alice, I presume you mean Liberal voters. You certainly don’t represent me. It’s embarrassing to see you even condescendingly try, but the shrill tone of Liberal voters of late does prove that Labor made the right call. You do understand that the parties choose their leaders in Australia, don’t you ? Although of course it’s only the party room who choose in the Liberal party, not a full caucus.

    • Alice says:

      10:21am | 08/07/10

      “We” is my family, Springs.  Also some of our neighbours.  We are entitled to our opinion, and we very much appreciate yours too.  Thank you.

    • Mark says:

      03:20pm | 09/07/10

      Springs, typical lefty attitude, hiding behind the system rather than accepting what was done was an affront to our democracy. What the union hacks did was akin to a coup and they have hijacked democracy in Australia. I understand the political system perfectly well and we do not have a popularly elected Prime Minister and the parties are free to choose who they want. That said, how would you explain the Labor party election slogan Kevin07 Why was Kevin’s face on every how to vote card along side the local candidate? Is is because the Labor party wanted the electorate to think a vote for the local member was a vote for Kevin as PM?

      I would love to hear your thoughts on this!

      The people voted Labor because they wanted Kevin as our PM. Eventually the electorate woke up to his incompetence and were looking forward to voting him out. But Julia and her Union mates decided that was too risky and installed Julia as PM. If the Labor party want to chop and change its leader while in government, then they should go to an election without a leader and see how far that gets them!

      I suspect you are just bitter as it looks like this Labor experiment is coming to an end.

    • Rosie says:

      08:44am | 08/07/10

      Only 2 weeks and Gillard has lost the “Wonder Woman” touch. The facial glow she had two weeks ago has been replaced with someone who looks tired and desperate. Finally someone, Tony Jones was able to push her in a corner. I must admit the woman is the best in avoiding the questions with her long winded answers insulting our intelligence. “Give me Abbott’‘s slogans anytime and allow me to decide for myself.”

      When I read her Tues speech I was impressed with her “name dropping” which started with, Frank Lowy, the Lowy Institute founding benefactor, a migrant done well like our appointed PM, Tony Burke, Minister for Sustainable Population, who she has commissioned to develop a population strategy for a sustainable Aust, the mention of our first asylum seekers from Vietnam and how they have settled in different parts of Aust, and now for the Big Names, UNHCR, Bali Process with Indonesia, International Organisation for Migration, President Ramos Horta of East Timor, NZ PM John Key, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, Govt of Afghanistan.

      It seemed she had done her homework but for someone with the intelligence of our PM she left out the Govt of East Timor and its PM and went straight to the top, President Ramos Horta. It was likened to East Timor’s PM initiating a deal with our Governor General instead of the Govt of the day! I am starting to think that Ms Gillard is too clever for her own good and lacks common sense and practicality, very vital when bringing up children.

      Reply

    • Greg says:

      09:13am | 08/07/10

      Rosie the “slogan” comment Gillard has been making, may well come back to haunt her. I think you’ll find that Rudd said at the last election “I’ll turn the boats around”. And you may even see a grinning and nodding Gillard in the background.  Of course after saying that, they did the opposite. And now they’re backflipping at record speed. If people weren’t falling for it, it would be funny. Also note the resignations of Tanner and Faulkner. Their two best ministers have jumped the sinking ship.

    • Rob G says:

      10:02am | 08/07/10

      It looked as though she had a “long” day, and I was prepared to concede her that! When she resorted to polit-speak with long winded non-answers. I was even fair minded. But when she started sounding like Kevin Rudd, I couldnt believe it.
      In a flash of understanding it became obvious that Julia is a female clone of Kevin. Either that or the back room Labor factions have two moulds, but same puppet mechanisms.

    • Moggy says:

      10:39am | 08/07/10

      Rosie, what most people are missing here is the question of religion. The Viet refugees fitted in to Australian society very well because they weren’t beating the “God” drum!  With the Afgani boat people there’s the problem that they truly believe they own this “God”  & that we will eventually also have to buckle under & follow their religion. This is now happening in England, & is accompanied by violent demonstrations & demands for sharia law. The Moslems are welcome to worship whoever they want. But they have no right to force others to buckle under their demands that everybody else has to do as they say simply because they think they own this god.

    • Rosie says:

      11:14am | 08/07/10

      Moggy thanks! I think it is time for Captain Catholic to shine! Is catholicism the dominate religion in East Timor?????? Hmmmmmm very interesting!

    • Andy says:

      08:49am | 08/07/10

      A very amateurish performance by a PM on Lateline. To say any different is deluding yourself.

      Reply

    • T.Chong says:

      10:43am | 08/07/10

      Andy , her performance was still not as bad as when Tony was called for being a Phoney.

    • Rosie says:

      02:42pm | 08/07/10

      T.Chong

      Surely you can come up with something better to say than Roxon’s “Tony Phoney” It is so unlike you not to attack the fact that the tide is changing and your Ms Gillard is losing it.

      Let me tell you that people were turned off once Roxon mentioned the two words, “Tony Phoney” and didn’t bother to listen to what she was trying to say about mental health! Poor dear, she then starts blaming the unfinished controversial RSPT for not applauding the Parental Maternity Leave that she wanted all Australians to appreciate!

      There T.Chong forget “Tony Phoney” and how about some back up for Gillard’s 9 page ambitious speech which was put together in haste like a dog’s breakfast.

    • Roja says:

      04:49pm | 08/07/10

      Forgetting the crap “phoney” line T. Chong is right, for once.  He rightly compared the rank amateur performance of Abbott to the rank amateur performance of Gillard. 

      Are you honestly saying his comment that “unless it’s written down” it’s not necessarily true was anything other than a disaster?  If you are saying that can you change your name to the more accurate “head of the liberal cheer squad”

    • emmgee says:

      08:57am | 08/07/10

      the next step will be for this half-baked proposal to cost us millions. How much money can Joolia throw at the East Timorese to smooth the way?

      Reply

    • Joan says:

      09:40am | 08/07/10

      It`s not even half-baked - she hasn’t even got all the ingredients together- she just has a rough name for it - a regional solution, she’s still spinning it.

    • Mr Pastry says:

      12:44pm | 08/07/10

      She has a name - almost done then.  Just needs the website and some ads, its all sorted.

    • Mike says:

      09:02am | 08/07/10

      I would expect our Prime MInister to understand that she needs to talk to the Prime Minister of East Timor before announcing her plans for them and not the President first. She clearly doesn’t know the difference, and was well and truly caught out on this question with Tony Jones,  she certainly lost a lot of Teflon in that interview.

      Reply

    • Vince says:

      09:03am | 08/07/10

      I am sick of this faux issue. All the parties have pretty much the same policy, allow genuine refugees entry, everything else is hyperbolic garbage.

      There are other more important issues that should be on the agenda, such as the governments proposal to log everything you do online for six months or more. This is an extremely disturbing Orwellian extension into the lives of Australians and their activities and we are stuck talking about who can be appear to be meaner to refugees!

      Reply

    • iansand says:

      09:31am | 08/07/10

      Hear hear.

      This is an issue that should be bi-partisan and completely off the political radar.  Unfortunately both parties have resorted to whipping up fear and loathing to create political capital out of human misery.

    • Daryl says:

      10:54am | 08/07/10

      I agree, lets debate the insulations fiasco, censorship of the internet, the school scheme rorting, the rising interest rates and the lie about “more affordable housing”. Lets debate the wasted millions on the insulation blunder, the NBN and the backdown on the profits tax. Lets debate the 4.5billion ripped out of the budget revenue projections and the 200 childcare facilities not delivered. Lets debate the failure of fuelwatch and the lie about grocery choice, the surplus wasted and the record foreign debt racked up by this government. There are a lot more important issues to debate than this one.

    • MarK says:

      12:10pm | 08/07/10

      ZNo vince they don’t.

      labor has nothing. East Timor has vetoed it.

      Abbott has Nauru ready to go.

      See the difference? Big lie and spin vs policy already actioned.

    • ibast says:

      02:22pm | 08/07/10

      Mark, they both process people claiming refugee status and they both hold them to the same standard.  Even without East Timor, it doesn’t matter where it happens.  It’s just that the Liberal policy appears to appease the cultural phobic vote, by appearing to reject them.  The reality is they both let in the same number of people.  The boat people didn’t start coming again because Rudd started processing them on-shore.  They started again because Rudd reduced the official annual migrant intake.  Abbott using this policy as a weapon of choice shows him to be nasty and mean spirited.

    • Bob H says:

      09:11am | 08/07/10

      I see old time colonialism is still rampant in the Australian Government Gillard’s new sparkling solution is just another UN refugee camp, and we know how well they work.  I find it ironic that refugee problems are mostly caused by elites making grabs for power.

      Reply

    • Steve says:

      09:27am | 08/07/10

      The puppett PM, is under the pump, letting her out without the strings attached we are now seeing what substance she has and that is nothing.

      Does she understand that East timor is the 13th poorest country in the world is more like a African country in being porr not oceanic or asian.

      What are the locals going to think in Timor if we put better buildings up then they have to live, she is willing to outlay all this extra money, also forgetting to discuss it with the PM of East Timor.

      When she could just use the base at Nauru put in by John Howard, but noooo, she would make the Australian public outlay more money yet again.

      Puppeteer, get hold of your string your puppett went to say something and it backfired, Julia is trying hard to keep the right faction happy, for putting her in the lodge, and she is going in decreasing circles each minute.

      Let her be interviewd one on one by Alan Jones on TV for 30 mins

      Reply

    • Doh says:

      09:37am | 08/07/10

      It is amazing what a little serious questioning can do.

      For the first time I can say I was impressed with Tony Jones.

      Reply

    • Can't belive its Tony says:

      11:19am | 08/07/10

      @Doh - it was an unusual interview, he followed through his questioning as Julia tried deflections and her squirming was great TV.

    • All says:

      03:53pm | 08/07/10

      I was amazed as well. Reminiscent of Kerry O’Brien unravelling Rudd in the last few months to smooth the way for Gillard. I wonder if the puppet masters have enrolled the ABC media again, to prepare the way for Bill Shorten, just in case the election result is not as resounding as they have demanded and expect from Gillard.

    • jackie says:

      09:41am | 08/07/10

      We have a PM who doesn’t know the difference between the Presidient and the Prime Mninister of Timor.

      Another half baked, unthoughtful, and detail lacking policy from a government that has proven over its term that it really has no idea.

      And now it seems that East timor is simply going to say no.

      Reply

    • kp says:

      09:57am | 08/07/10

      Unfortunately I missed it !!  Does anyone have a link so I can see how badly she performed AGAIN ....  should be great entertainment !!!!

      Reply

    • Researcher says:

      09:57am | 08/07/10

      The main culprit in the refugee fiasco is the UNHCR Treaty of 1951 and the 1957 Protocol.  Read it as see how all signatories have been blackmailed into accepting all and sundry and no one can discriminate even tho most arrivals may have cruel and archaic beliefs which do not and cannot be assimiliated into Australia.  It really is time these Resolutions were discussed openly, many Clauses revoked so signatories have some real say in how to govern their country.  Times have changed since WW II, the people who were refugees then are quite different to the ones that come here now, some wanting to change our laws and live in their own cultural enclaves.  So the two major parties keep trying to please everyone and spend taxpayers money willy nilly and the Greens want us to love everyone, whether they deserve it or not.  Tme to give more aid to UN Camps than to accept more refugees who bring their own prejudices into Australia

      Reply

    • Joe Commuter says:

      09:57am | 08/07/10

      Julia Gillard, you are a joke.
      You based the whole BER program on spin, press releases and the willing complicity of the Fairfax press and ABC just wanting you to succceed.
      Now, you are PM, and your very first attempt at international diplomacy has been an epic fail.
      You seem to have consulted nobody but pressed ahead with a press release, media appearances and a Lateline interview. You even had David Bradbury to carry your bags in Darwin.
      The BER and East Timor solution are both looking and smelling the same. Failure is like that…...it stinks.

      Reply

    • Policy Charade! says:

      09:59am | 08/07/10

      Ms Gillard please go back to school and get some basic Politics 101 education!  Know how to handle people from other lands and learn to differentiate a head of state from a prime minister
      You are such a laughing stock with your rushed solutions to the plight of boat people/ asylum seekers!
      now Krudd is out of the way - no thanks to both you and Bill (the ambitous one) Shorten for that uncalled for execution , so now you have no one to blame but your self!
      So Gillard see if next time you can execute a well thought out well considered policy , instead of rushing out quick- fixes that attempt to dogwhistle the public!
      Now the sophisticated voting public are not fools we do not like the East Timor solution as East Timor is just geting back on its feet! East Timorese people have enough of their own concerns without you making life even harder for them! So Gillard your position as an unelected PM armed with policy charades is already causing due concern! Perhaps Krudd now may have a skerrick of understanding from you that being PM is not as easy as it looks!  Public want sound policies not BUNGLED ONES!

      Reply

    • Luke4 says:

      10:00am | 08/07/10

      After watching Julia Gillard last night make a complete dill of herself on national television. I started trying to imagine her making decisions on Afghanistan, security, dealing with world leaders etc, I came to the conclusion I’m now scared.

      Reply

    • peter says:

      09:21pm | 08/07/10

      hahahahah yes agree we should be scared

    • John says:

      10:01am | 08/07/10

      The same unprepared policy on the run we came to expect from Rudd. As part of the gang of four maybe all the other prior policy stuff up’s were Gillard’s ideas too!
      ..and can it be more blatant when she has a labour member from western sydney on the patrol boat with her. She must think we are all idiots.
      Nothing has changed, same nag different jockey

      Reply

    • Jacob M says:

      10:13am | 08/07/10

      Bring back Kevin Rudd!! At least he did not put the cart before the horse

      Reply

    • BobM says:

      10:15am | 08/07/10

      It didn’t take to long for the shine to wear off Our First Female Prime Minister did it? Two weeks and she’s looking like Rudd in drag.

      Reply

    • Greg says:

      10:19am | 08/07/10

      I expect we’ll only see Gillard with Kerry O’Brien from now on. Two leftie blood nuts talking about the good old days in the Australian communist party. Should be safe enough for her from now on.

      Reply

    • Nellie says:

      10:21am | 08/07/10

      I think it’s just about time for the Labor party to give us all a $900 bribe to vote for them, seeing as their policy ship has sprung another major leak. Come on guys, hurry up. I need some cash to buy a big screen tellie. Made in China!!

      Reply

    • MarK says:

      10:31am | 08/07/10

      What this interview showed is how disconnected this government is.

      It is Rudd MkII. Announce a thought bubble. Involve other countries. Don’t bother with asking those countries at all.

      I said yesterday this would unravel quickly for her.

      I thought it would be next week though.

      An interview full of spin but one that very informative none the less. Gillard has taken the Rudd motto of “say now put it off too later” mantra to heart.

      No wonder Tanner and Faulkner are going they can see the train wreck coming.

      Reply

    • Alice says:

      10:38am | 08/07/10

      A policy thought.  Acknowledging that asylum seekers are funded to a minimum standard of care and comfort (health care, culturally acceptable menu, t.v., internet access, legal access, recreational activities etc.) how would the less financially supported local Timorese feel about preferential treatment for new arrivals?  Or would Australia be willing to raise Timorese community living standards to those of the local processing centre?
      Would this situation not cause social tensions?

      Miss Gillard is getting us in way too deep.  Politically, financially and socially.

      Reply

    • Lucy says:

      10:41am | 08/07/10

      She doesn’t have a clue! When asked about Woodside she clearly didn’t know much if anything about them. She doesn’t know the difference between a President and A Prime Minister. In the photo above she looks as though she is having a Sarah Palin moment. “Can I see East Timor from here?” How embarrassment she is as a Prime Minister.

      Reply

    • steve for gillard says:

      10:53am | 08/07/10

      I’m a supporter of Gillard and I’m hoping she’ll be elected at the forthcoming elections. When she took over from Rudd she said she would consult with her cabinet. Now, when she rang the President of East Timor instead of the Prime Minister, did she not consult with her cabinet? And if so, was she not told by Smith who she should best speak to? Julia, I can’t understand a gaffe like this just when you’re challenging Abbott’s childish “send the boats back” policy. Get a grip quickly because you can’t afford any more of these mistakes. Unless, of course, this was a deliberate ploy to get the East Timorese thinking in your direction. Please explain.

      Reply

    • MarK says:

      12:23pm | 08/07/10

      It really isn’t good diplomacy to tell a sovereign nation what to do.

      just saying.

    • Bruce says:

      11:15am | 08/07/10

      Here we go again, Gillard, big on promises, short on detail and accuracy. Did not rudd get the boot for the same thing ?

      Reply

    • Rosie says:

      04:15pm | 08/07/10

      Richard, it will get worse! In my experience it is always difficult to defend someone in this case a politician with a load of political baggage. So far everything she has done in haste is a political fix.

      Labour would have had a better chance if Rudd had remained their leader.

    • Richard M says:

      11:17am | 08/07/10

      I guess I’m an eternal hopeless optimist, but I wonder whether there is any chance of injecting a note of moderation and reason into this usual avalanche of abuse and negativity.  (Gosh, its amazing how quickly the howling anti-Rudd mob on this site has turned miraculously into a howling anti-Gillard mob!)  Notwithstanding the obsession of the Australian media with pretending that every issue is amenable to a simple, easy solution, and reporting on it as a puerile contest of simplistic slogan-shouting (of which Ms Maguire’s article is a good example), any issue in Government of any significance is in fact the opposite of simple - it is complex, difficult and multi-faceted.  There are points on both sides of any debate about such issues, and no one side has a monopoly on all aspects of possible solutions, let alone righteousness.  The boat people issue is a perfect example of this, as the PM explained in her excellent speech on the subject the other day, when she called for the slogan-shouting and name-calling to stop - unfortunately, probably a vain hope in this country, with its extremely low quality political media.  The fact is that those who say that this is a small problem in relative terms and that we need to act with humanity, are right   But so are those who say that acting with humanity must include strong disincentives for people to set out on dangerous voyages as well as consideration for those who remain on waiting lists in hopeless refugee camps because they don’t have the resources to pay people smugglers.  What the Government is trying to do is to find a balanced approach to the issue.  As part of that, the PM put forward a proposal (NOT a final, stamped and sealed solution) which would involve a regional processing centre, operating under the auspices of the UNHCR in a country like East Timor which is a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention.  She said that she had commenced discussions with relevant regional Governments about this, but that there was a way to go before it would be agreed and finalised.  This seems like a reasonable idea, and to rush off in all directions and declare it dead after 24 hours and a a couple of off the cuff reactions from East Timorese politicians is not only ridiculous, but irresponsible.  Isn’t it possible to have a reasonable, moderately expressed discussion about this issue and the Gillard proposals without descending into cynicism, abuse and sloganeering?  Unfortunately, probably not.  I wonder what Ms Maguire thought she was adding to the sum total of human knowledge and achievement by her sneering article.

      Reply

    • allan coulter says:

      11:50am | 08/07/10

      Justifying buffoonery with verbosity

    • Greg says:

      12:01pm | 08/07/10

      Richard M, I think this government should be judged on what it does not on what it says. And if you look at what they have promised and not delivered or tried to deliver and made a mess of, it should be plainly obvious that this government is great at talk, political spin and rhetoric, but very slim on substance and delivery. Look at the mess they made of the profit tax, the schools building scheme and the insulation fiasco. Look at the promises they made on “more affordable housing”, grocery choice, childcare facilities, “I’ll turn the boats around”, “root and branch” tax reform, not to touch the private health rebate, the 2020 summit, etc etc and they didn’t deliver on any of it! To make matters worse, they have racked up record foreign debt and are still throwing money around in a bid for re election. If this was an isolated case I’d say people would be willing to agree with your sentiments. However on the back of their past performance over the last three years, people have clearly had enough and yes they are clearly cynical of this government and it’s ability to deliver on anything. It’s not a “let’s wait and see”, it’s more, “oh no here we go again”. Many people clearly once shared your optimism but few remain it seems.

    • WayneT says:

      01:20pm | 08/07/10

      Get a grip Richard.  They are the current Government, they are the ones in power, they should expect to cop some flack when their promises come to nothing and they compound that failure with more promises.  You obviously don’t remember the flack Howard and Co copped on this same forum when they were in power.  It comes with the territory.  Ante up or get over it and move on.  No one’s forcing you to read on.  But be quick, if these pages are so to the right then the Punch may just end up on the Government Censorship list.

    • MarK says:

      01:28pm | 08/07/10

      She announced our plans to build a facility in a foreign country and forgot to ask the people in charge.

      And you think is a good idea?

      All in the name of spinning her way to avoid an election issue.

      yah…..great plan

    • Mr Pastry says:

      11:21am | 08/07/10

      When Julia took over there was a lot of talk about current issues needing “Public debate” what happened in a week?

      Reply

    • allan coulter says:

      11:43am | 08/07/10

      No-one has cottoned on to the new campaigning of the Labor Party which is to pump out ads on tele regarding the NBN, Mining Tax and puff up about illegal immigration in the form of advertising without having ratified Policy.  So in the end these things are only ‘what we’re going to do’ rather than ‘this is the Policy and this is how we’ll do it’.

      Reply

    • Daryl says:

      12:10pm | 08/07/10

      Yeah and we all remember the promises at the last election that weren’t delivered. Childcare facilities, grocery choice, fuelwatch, not to touch the private health rebate, “more affordable housing”, “I’ll turn the boats around”, “I’m an economic conservative” (and then spends more than any other PM in history), not to use taxpayers money to advertise policy. And the failures when they tried to deliver like the insulation scheme, school scheme rorting, the profit tax etc. And in the process they burned the surplus and racked up record levels of debt. They have a record of promising much and delivering very little! Question is, will people swollow the lies this time?

    • vote labor out says:

      02:15pm | 08/07/10

      Not only are they on the TV those ads are all over the internet in paid google adwords ads. It makes my blood boil every time i hear the see or hear the word “reform"used. Empty empty words repeated often enough and loud enough do NOT make them true.

    • Robert S McCormick says:

      11:48am | 08/07/10

      If anyone thinks Kevin Rudd was a control-freak I have news for you boys & girls! With St Julia of the ALP you ain’t seen nothing yet! Just who does this unelected, that’s right she was not elected by us nor was she elected by the ALP Federal Caucus in Canberra a week or so ago. She was presented to the Caucus at the behest of the NSW Right and the,also unelected Unions bosses who control the ALP as “This is your new leader” They may claim she was elected but that is not true. Shorten,Swan,Burke & Union bosses did not allow anyone to put themsleves forward which would have meant they had to have a vote. Now we have Ms Control-freak Gillard telling an independent, sovereign state it should allow her to build a camp in which to concentrate all would-be refugees. She did not have the guts to approach the Government of East Timor and we know why. They would simply have told her where to stick her dictatorial demand. She, quite inappropriatly, contacted the President with her demand. No matter what spin this proving-to-be-a-disaster Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, puts on it, other than the venue, this is identical to Howard’s “Pacific Solution”. That icon of Compassion and Humanity, St Julia Gillard of the ALP, was one of the loudest screeching voices which condemned Howard for it.
      We have to now wonder exactly who was running the current ALP Federal Government. Was it Kevin Rudd whom they portrayed as a control-freak who would consult no-one or was it, in fact, Gillard who was the puppet-master? Given that it has been revealed that it was she who demanded, & got, the ETS/CPRS be abandoned,she who orchestrated the rorted Building the Education Revolution, she who decided to abandon the Green Loans Fiasco,the death-dealing Home Insulation programme we have to ask who really was the Prime Minister. Gillard accused the Howard Government of being racist, inhumane now we know how she recognised their failings for she is no different. What Howard failed to tell us & the now-revealed not so compassionate & humane Gillard is perpetuating, is the blatant cover-up of the facts that these new people arriving by boat are, unlike those who arrive by air complete with papers, that they have no papers, no passports, nothing. Why? because the corrupt government’s of Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Iraq etc, won’t give them any to enable them to leave. They, just like so many at the end of World War II, have become Displaced Persons. people desperste to find a place in which they can re-build their shattered lives. Lives shattered both by their fellow-citizens & the invading armies of, in particular,the USA,UK &, to our everlasting shame, Australia. These people claim tobe refugees & the vast majority are, after months or years under Howard and now Gillard of being held in concentration camps, assessed as being refugees. We helped cause the displacement of these people. We should, just as we did after WWII, treat them as Displaced Persons & admit them immediately.
      Julia Gillard has said she is going to spend $25 million providing boats to others in the region & will provide the extra millions to build the Gillard Gulags in East Timor. Where’s the money coming from? Or is this just another amount tobe added to the multi-billions of debt she & her ALP Federal Government have already created?
      Gillard must go! Not only is she bankrupting Australia she, as a direct result of her Pacific Solution (Sounds a bit like that nasty little man in the 1930s with his Jewish Solution) will only go to reinforce the widely-held belief that Australia is nothing if it is not racist & inhumane. You would have to have grown up in post-WWII Britain to realise that the Working Classes (how non-PC is that?) of the UK were amongst the most racist of all.

      Reply

    • Darryl2 says:

      12:48pm | 08/07/10

      Just how do you get on plane without papers? How do you enter another country on the way to Australia without papers?  In reality why are these people Australia’s problem. The people of East Timor suffered also under Indonesian control and did not resort to getting on boats. Is that because they did not have $5,000 each. These people are economic migrants and should be sent back.

    • Richard M says:

      12:13pm | 08/07/10

      As I said, probably not.  Is there anyone out there who actually wants to have a reasonable discussion and not indulge in mere diatribes of untruths, distortions and simplistic abuse?

      Reply

    • Greg says:

      01:22pm | 08/07/10

      Richard M, you’re right, it would appear the government is not interested in having a reasonable discussion. They haven’t even bothered to contact the East Timor government let alone have a discussion! And there’s an election to be won. So no time for being honest and accurate. Look at the lies from their last election campaign and the promises they didn’t keep. No, probably no chance for an open honest discussion with the ALP right now.

    • Richard says:

      02:11pm | 08/07/10

      Oh shut up Boney M, you only want to discuss with people if they are willing to agree that Gillard is the infallible daughter of God who can do now wrong at all in any conceivable way. Face up up to facts man: the important issues that concern the electorate are proving to be beyond the capacities of the current government to address.

    • Gregg says:

      12:17pm | 08/07/10

      ” None of this stopped Gillard’s attempts to make political mileage with the policy yesterday. She even took Western Sydney MP David Bradbury, the Member for Lindsay, to Darwin with her to play about on some cool new boats, in case the people of his land-locked and highly marginal electorate missed the message. “
      Aside from anything else, was there any real governance in taking a Sydney based MP all the way to Darwin with her and was her trip just not publicity seeking like her predecessor.
      I’d not be too surprised if the back room boys are now wondering whether Kevin can become a John Howard Lazarus act!
      Bring on the election Labor, anytime for you can run but you cannot hide from all the facts of the dismal failures of policies and negotiations.

      Reply

    • MarK says:

      12:19pm | 08/07/10

      Hahahaha.

      Looks like Rudd really was the brains of the operation.

      Reply

    • Nicole says:

      01:14pm | 08/07/10

      @MarK, and considering he was pretty light in that department, it’s bloody frightening.

    • Pauly says:

      12:53pm | 08/07/10

      Labor couldnt run a bath.They have prooved that in spades the last few years

      Reply

    • Bryan says:

      12:55pm | 08/07/10

      With all due respect - Gillard made an absolute fool of herself last night on Lateline. The only person within the ALP that would have had a smile was the guy she replaced. In fact, at times I think she was channelling her previous boss with some of the responses. The only part that was missing was the forward and backward thrusts with the hand and a couple of guess what’s and working families thrown in.

      But I suppose when you start getting involved in the planning of another country’s policy decisions without consulting them first, one would tend to look like more than a bit of a fool. Hmm.. I wonder where she learnt the trick of talk first, spin next and mop up the details later?

      Reply

    • WayneT says:

      01:04pm | 08/07/10

      Gillard is a bit like a Master Chef contestant.  She’s written up a dazzling menu and the audience is in awe of her creative culinary skills, however there’s a little problem.  There’s no list of ingredients or any preparation method.  In fact she hasn’t even done the grocery shopping.  I’m afraid her immunity badge of being the first female PM isn’t going to save her from elimination.

      Reply

    • alan says:

      01:06pm | 08/07/10

      we cant trust labor,i,m an ex labor man,on this issue alone i,m glad to vote liberal next election and my friends think this also.
      these assylum seekers are nor what they make out to be,they pay upto $30,000 to get here,then the labor government give them more,when us aussie get apitance.i,m a REALIST,NOT a rasist.get real australia,these people bring their bad habits with them,and give it to OUR kids.
      i,m sick of this problem,when it cost others, a long wait is on the cards,plus A FOOT of paper work,plus they have to pay 1000,s $,s.the assylum seeker get it for nothing
      get rid of labor is my way,and nits lies.
      ex labor voter

      Reply

    • Fiat Lux says:

      01:41pm | 08/07/10

      Easy solution . All Australia has to do is to resign from the United Nations . This would save Australian Taxpayers countless millions by not having to pay for an Ambassador and delegation to the UN and by not having to process refugee applications nor pay the legal , medical and welfare bills which rapidly pile up in processing and accomodating such people   .

      Reply

    • Randal says:

      01:51pm | 08/07/10

      I as a Liberal supporter was very concerned by the Gillard ascension to the leadership of the ALP, I had seen her as smart, articulate and someone who would resonate and cut through to the electorate.

      Then I saw first the lie on the cost of the super profits back down, quickly followed by the laughable asylum seeker policy and realised that the ALP had not learned anything from the demise of Rudd, they still believe that through a grandiose announcement followed by PR spin they can con the electorate.

      Yet again they have been left with egg all over their faces, and with the GSJBW report out today on the true losses caused by the back down on the profits tax, $39 billion by 2020 - over $3 billion in the first two years (more than double $1.5 billion stated by Gillard and Swan), and the exposure of the half baked plan for a regional detention centre, without so much as a courtesy call to the East Timor Prime Minister, the ALP have sent a very clear message to the Australian people that this is a government that cannot be trusted, and will do anything to remain in office.

      Can’t wait for the deceptive ETS announcement, by then the Gillard goose should be good and cooked.

      Reply

    • Against the Man says:

      01:59pm | 08/07/10

      I believe that the time has come to vote labor out. They were out of federal politics for 12 years and this country progressed. Maybe another 12 years in the wilderness will allow them to think carefully of what kind of political party they want to be and maybe they should do the best for Australia and not the unions.

      Reply

    • MickG says:

      02:30pm | 08/07/10

      That’s reality on the phone Julia and it’s check-out time at the honeymoon suite.

      Three weeks into her rule and Julia seems to be displaying the same knack for policy on the run as her predecessor.  It now appears that the PM’s recently announced policy shift on asylum seekers had not been discussed with Cabinet.  If it had I would have expected that the Foreign Minister would have briefed the PM on the proper manner to engage with the East Timorese government.  Additionally, the Minister for Defence might have pointed out that the Indonesian Navy currently operates a fleet of over 50 frigates, corvettes and patrol boats;  our Navy on the other hand has a dozen frigates and 14 patrol boats.  Gifting an extra patrol boat to Indonesia is not likely to make one iota of difference to their capability, particularly when that vessel is unlikely to be compatible with anything else that they operate.

      If anyone thought that Julia’s ascension heralded a change in style for this government, her handling of the MRRT (nee RSPT) and asylum seekers must surely come as a disappointment.  Once again we’re being served up symbolism rather than substance.

      Reply

    • gillard = rudd says:

      02:30pm | 08/07/10

      I couldn’t watch that interview - and i was prepaid to give her a go.
      I will throw up if I hear her say “I as Prime Minister” in the middle of a sentence one more time. It was so insulting, repetitive and dumbed down i wanted to scream… but i switched the channel instead.

      So now I will turn her off just like I did when Rudd starting talking.
      That took about one week.

      Reply

    • Darryl Price says:

      09:10pm | 08/07/10

      Ah yes the unecessarily qualified statement.  The most annoying one from Kevin Rudd and an apparent favourite of his “I as Prime Minister of Australia” Yeah thanks for that, I thought you might have been the Prime Minister of this teapot, or perhaps this small flower arrangement…GOSH.

    • Darryl Price says:

      02:30pm | 08/07/10

      I see “Gillrudd” is already in play. Can I make an early claim on “Juliar” ? I know it’s time is coming.

      Reply

    • LOL says:

      03:06pm | 08/07/10

      I was kind of liking Ruddard or Gilliar myself ??

    • Kevin says:

      02:36pm | 08/07/10

      Obviously the thinking in the Labor party is that none of the leftist middle class constituency would vote for Abbott in a pink fit.  Also, Abbott is too creepy and scarey for a lot of people.  Therefore Labor can shift to the right and hope to reclaim some of the redneck bogans who are attracted to racist and xenophobic policies on asylum seekers.
      What this means is that Labor will lose a lot of its primary vote to the Greens (who, by the way, are the only party that has consistently questioned the “Big Australia” policy).  It will probably also result in the Greens picking up a lot of Senate seats at the expense of Labor.
      As an aside, I think someone who is brave enough to risk a long sea voyage on a rickety boat is more worthy of Australian citizenship than someone who’s paid $50,000 to enrol in a hairdressing course at some dodgy college.
      I feel betrayed by Labor.  If the Liberals dumped Abbott for Turnbull, came out in support of action against global warming and dumped the internet filter, they would have my vote.  I suspect there is a huge number of “moderate” thinking people who would do the same.

      Reply

    • Saskia says:

      02:41pm | 08/07/10

      Even the most biased ALP lover and Gillard fan must admit that she was absolutely torn apart last night on Lateline.

      She look spooked and lost.  Her hopelessly rushed and ill-conceived policies make even Rudd look good.  And I think he could spin better under pressure.

      Its Medicare Gold all over again.  She is shot.  All their good ministers have quit.

      They are gone.

      Reply

    • Chris says:

      02:41pm | 08/07/10

      This is like New Zealand announcing a program with Australia on the basis that Quentin Bryce had agreed to it. The fact our Prime Minister cannot comprehend the difference between a head of state and a head of government is scary.

      I suppose the next time she deals with the UK she will bypass talking to David Cameron and talk to the Queen instead?

      Reply

    • Abbott must win says:

      02:49pm | 08/07/10

      Who are the policy advisors in the Labor Party? They ought to be fired forthwith…
      To have the PM of our Country to go out there and make a speech without anything planned and up their sleeves?? No Nauru or Timor agreement? No word with the Indonesians? No Plan B?? What on earth???...
      Anyway I think the Labor Party must be voted out…Voters are quickly realizing that a vote for Gillard will give us the same incompetent Gov. If Abbott continues providing respectful policies (as his well thought out mental health and immigration ones) I think he will win the election.

      Reply

    • Julia says:

      03:04pm | 08/07/10

      Gusmao gave me a much-needed laugh today. Imagine telling the Australian PM to call back when you’ve got the matter finalised with the president? He either knows that she’s part of the political party who let Indonesia oppress them for years, or chauvinist.

      Who advised her to talk to the president and not the prime minister in the first place? Sack him/her!

      This is such a funny situation on so many levels, I’m not even going to comment on the shiney suit.

      Reply

    • Little Joe says:

      03:25pm | 08/07/10

      It really is pathetic ...... and very embarrassing for Australia to have such a fool for a Pretend Prime Minister. But the big question is ..... “Who will the Unions and Labor Factions install as PM next week????”

      Reply

    • Richard M says:

      03:34pm | 08/07/10

      OK, I give up.  I should have realised that on this site the only interest is in furiously agreeing with one another, shouting metaphorical slogans in unison and showing each other what complete right-wing smart-arses you are.  No attempt to understand the real issues, let alone actual sensible debate, is permitted or desired.  Pathetic.
      You all deserve one another.

      Reply

    • Saskia says:

      04:04pm | 08/07/10

      Nothing to do with right-wing.  We are just a rough sample of Aussies who want stronger borders, quality immigrants and govt that doesn’t constantly lie just to hang on to power so it can waste our taxes.

      Gillard is a dud its crystal clear.

    • WayneT says:

      05:26pm | 08/07/10

      And what exactly does your statement contribute to the debate Richard?  If there’s any real issues involved then please enlighten us and we can discuss it in a civilized manner.  But if, as I suspect, there isn’t much that is defensible with regard to Gillard’s policy bungles, then I guess we will just have to remain in the dark until post-election.

    • MarK says:

      05:46pm | 08/07/10

      Hahahaha Richard.

      You don’t think it is right we hold the PM to account for trying to bully a poor nation?

      You don’t think it is right we hold the PM to account for her hypocrisy on this issue?

      Well shall we discuss fluffy bunny rabbits. They are cute. Awww look at the bunny.

      By the way Gillard just lost the election on radio this afternoon. What a liar.

    • graham john says:

      04:39pm | 08/07/10

      The boat is now sunk labor can not win with this latest lot of rubbish

      Reply

    • Nicole says:

      05:11pm | 08/07/10

      I would suggest everyone go and listen to Jooolia’s speech. She has just made the biggest fool of herself, it’s astounding. For once in my life, I’m nearly speechless (nearly).

      Reply

    • Doh says:

      05:12pm | 08/07/10

      GOLD - what an interview on 4BC.

      Joolz spun out in her own spin.

      Julia loses what is left of her credibility, and there was no much left to lose!

      Reply

    • Stewart Henstock says:

      05:23pm | 08/07/10

      Sky News give me a break!
      You send your ace reporter to the electorate of Lindsay to get a few views on the boat people issue.
      Apparently the latest redneck polls consider this an issue?
      Ok she rocks into down town Penrith and asks a few people about the issue whose responses are naturally redneck.
      Had she gone to Glenmore Park,Castlereagh,Mulgoa or Orchid Hills the response would of differed.
      This is the mortgage belt of the electorate meaning fiscal matters such as interest rates, job security, petrol prices and quality of transportation are always critical issues at federal elections…not boat people. The geographic buildup of the seat consists of Liberal voting areas in the west, Labor voting areas in the east and swing areas in the centre.
      Now considering the Libs have held Lidnsay for 10 years prior to the last election,it seems Bradbury is just stirring up racial issues to get out the vote because the party he represents is failing dismally on the key issues.

      Reply

    • joe says:

      05:35pm | 08/07/10

      Gillard’s honeymoon period is over. Everything she touches doesn’t turn to gold. BER, Mining back down and mega spin to save face, now failing at brining back the Pacific solution. Egg on face!

      (Hmm that reminds me of her crazy Medicare Gold policy which Labor also ditched.)

      Reply

    • Ted says:

      05:37pm | 08/07/10

      How good was the Tony Jones question “what you think unemplyment is in East Timor?” This policy is Rudd-esque…......all pie in the sky and on the run…...ol Jules didnt even call the East Timor Government if OK? The lack of respect the ALP have for others like the East Timorese goes hand in hand with the lack of respect for spending taxpayers funds wisely…....whoever voted for these clowns please admit your mistake and dont do it again.

      Reply

    • Against the Man says:

      06:21pm | 08/07/10

      I agree it is time to admit that a mistake was made in voting in these clowns. Time for change so that future Australians won’t have to suffer further from ALP incompetence.

    • MarK says:

      05:48pm | 08/07/10

      Oh real quick question.

      Can anyone show me where in here speech she gave the impression it would be elsewhere?

      Like anywhere else?

      I cnnot believe how she lies like that. She has lost the election on this alone I would think.

      Reply

    • Jason R says:

      06:09pm | 08/07/10

      Her comment from the 4BC interview:

      “I’m not going to leave undisturbed the impression that I made an announcement about a specific location,’’ Ms Gillard told 4BC.

      Asked where the proposed centre would be, Ms Gillard said: “Well, this will have to emerge from the work with our regional neighbours.’’

      It’s like amateur hour at a local pub watching Labor in office. 

      Jools is supposed to be different - yet the SCG didn’t ‘spin’ this much on the 5th day….blah blah blah blah is back again.

      Reply

    • Tim says:

      06:42pm | 08/07/10

      TONY JONES:  So my question is why didn’t you speak to the head of government in East Timor, Xanana Gusmao, who’s the prime minister?.
      JULIA GILLARD: Well, I thought the appropriate thing was to speak to the president at this stage.

      The Labour team behind Julia simply rang the wrong person. President is listed before Prime Minister in the East Timorese phonebook so it is an undestandable mistake.

      Reply

    • Shane From Melbourne says:

      06:54pm | 08/07/10

      Labor incompetence or Liberal incompetence, yawn, what a choice…..

      Reply

    • Brad Price says:

      07:10pm | 08/07/10

      I just listened to the interview on 4BC and it is pure gold. Classic KRudd spin with the nauseating punctuation and pronunciation of Gillrudd.
      That interview demonstrates that she is not capable of effectively or correctly performing the job of Prime Minister in this country. She’s a lame duck Prime Minister and will most definately be the shortest serving Prime Minister in this nations history.

      Reply

    • Jean Rousseau says:

      08:51pm | 08/07/10

      She will win the election no matter what she or anyone else says or thinks. Her theme and ideology fits the relative context of our day unlike her predecessors’. Whether she knows it or not she expresses the spirit of postmodern thinking; one of tolerance and transparency. Not everyone will like these new ideas to Australian thinking, but this is how the rest of the world have been since the mid 20th century.  The atheist ideology , feminism, the gay movement and the like are all postmodern generated idea. She fits the bill like no other and being a woman, this signals the death of the modernistic mens’ only club of Australia. They won’t take this lying down, but their audience has died already so they can’t prevent a new Australia from emerging from out of our educational institutions. I guess all the mens’ club can do now is begin the civil war. I mean we have the symbols of war on our Harbour, the Bridge that came forth from modernity, and the Opera House based upon postmodern ideology from Europe. Postmodernism is a rejection of modernity and it’s selective regime. Modernity died in the USA and NZ in 1973 to the point that NZ had a woman PM and the USA has a black Christian President. No such luck here for us and our indigenous people. Only civil war as these two figures on our Harbour represent can follow.

      Reply

    • Siegfried says:

      11:10pm | 08/07/10

      Springs a leak? that is being extra kind, this is the Titanic in the dying moments before it hit the bottom, everything that Gillard does and everything she says turns into an iceberg.

      Reply

    • Billy B says:

      08:08am | 09/07/10

      Moggy - It is happening in Britain too!

      Reply

    • jb says:

      03:33pm | 10/07/10

      The smiling assassin is the Minister of misinformation and dialog.
      I just barely understand anything she is saying.
      EVER…..
      Timor, Naru whats the difference, same plan different location, albeit more costly!
      30% company Tax for the miners on 75% income, wow that less than what my small business pays, great work….NOT!
      It’s like watching an adult version of ring a ring a rosie!

      Reply
 
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