Prev
Next

Fraser could take Bishop with him on the way out

Leo Shanahan

by Leo Shanahan

26 May 11:47am

Must Reads

Protecting the Barrier Reef is the Fin end of the wedge - this is a caption

Protecting the Barrier Reef is the Fin end of the wedge

47

ICB: Is white bread the worst thing since sliced bread? - this is a caption

ICB: Is white bread the worst thing since sliced bread?

112

Sometimes, you’ve just got to stick it to the bloody ref - this is a caption

Sometimes, you’ve just got to stick it to the bloody ref

83

Filed under: Julie Bishop, Kevin Rudd, Liberal Party, Malcolm Fraser, Politics, Tony Abbott

139 comments

It has not been a good morning for the Liberal Party.

I'm free, free as a bird says Fraser. Photo: Stuart McEvoy

It has been revealed Former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser quit the party last December in disgust after it was placed under the new management of Tony Abbott.

Current deputy leader and shadow foreign affairs Minister Julie Bishop continues her comedy stylings by first claiming that Australia has also been guilty of faking passports, and then taking it back. Either way she stuffed up big time, and the two events have combined to aid Labor in pelting the Opposition with the tag that the Coalition are a pack of reckless ultra conservatives.

First to Fraser.

In the last few years Fraser has sought to define his legacy largely by criticising the Howard Government’s stance on asylum seekers, contrasting it with his own more compassionate policies following the influx of refugees from Indochina in the late seventies and early eighties.

The fact that you never hear Fraser or anyone else touting his Government’s economic or any other reform record is telling in its absence, but he does have a great deal to be proud of in changing Australia for the better in allowing Asian asylum seekers in.

It would have been interesting to see whether Fraser would have continued as a clean skin on human rights if he had stayed in power, with cabinet papers released in the last few years revealing they did consider tougher measures such as remote detention centres and temporary refugee visas. Fraser’s Foreign Affairs Minister Andrew Peacock also recognised East Timor as part of Indonesia despite recognising it was not “the moral decision”, but faced pressure from Soharto and mining companies.

Regardless, if anybody has a right to comment on asylum seeker policy it’s probably Fraser, and his decision to quit the party he once led as Prime Minister would not have been taken lightly.

According to the AFR Fraser thinks that Abbott is “all over the place” on policy and was continuing down the path of a refugee policy with racist overtones.

This will give Labor plenty of fuel to continue an election year campaign that labels Abbott a man of the hard right who is an erratic threat to the nation, Rudd recently labelled him a threat to the “social fabric” of Australia.

For all the dramatic talk of the Liberals being pulled into the dark heart of the hard right, I can’t help but think some of it is overstated.

Malcolm Turnbull, the apparent symbol of small l liberalism within the party, only lost the leadership by one vote and has reversed his decision to quit at the next election, which must indicate some level of support for his way of thinking.

Furthermore the other future leadership contender Joe Hockey, is another moderate Liberal who is crucial to any hope the Coalition have of getting up at this election or any other in the near future.

Still if Fraser is that concerned about the scatty nature of the current Liberal Party leadership perhaps he should invite Julie Bishop to join him in resigning.

Bishop has stuffed up on two counts in her criticism of the Government’s decision to expel and Israeli diplomat over faked Aussie passports used in a Mossad hit.

Firstly turning it into a political issue makes no sense. You’d be pretty hard pressed to find anyone who thought Stephen Smith’s actions were over the top, especially if you were the person who now finds their name on a Hamas list entitled “people who knocked off our gun runners”.

But to try and use top secret intelligence gained either during her time in Cabinet or during a briefing that the government gave her recently as political fodder is pretty astonishing. To then take back the accusation that Australia has also faked passports just confirms the monumental miscalculation.

Unfortunately for Abbott, Bishop being a former minister, from Western Australia and a woman he has little choice but to keep her where she is until somebody better shows up. Malcolm Fraser evidently feels no such ties binding him anymore. 

Most commented

429Australia, you have nothing to fear but fear itself
390There's no one Thomson won't burn to save his skin
333Animal experiments won't cure me from cancer
313Thomson didn't answer the question everyone is asking
265Who murdered the Arts degree?
246A big day for Thomson, who thus far is guilty of nothing...
231South Australia. It's the middle bottom bit.
231Craig Thomson speaks. Meanwhile, in Australia...

139 comments

Show oldest | newest first

    • Michael says:

      12:21pm | 26/05/10

      Oh dear Lord! Come back Howard and Costello.

      Reply

    • Matt says:

      04:53pm | 26/05/10

      Keating & Costello dream team! Bring it on…. At least then Parliament would be interesting and you wouldn’t have ppl stuffing up every decision they ever made.

      Keating & Costello were the two best economic managers this country ever had. One started the project of dragging Australia kicking and screaming into a world with lower tariffs, a floating dollar & RBA independence etc… one finished it with giving us a GST, breaking the power of the waterfront unions and decent (until workchoices) industrial relations system.

    • Evan Findlay says:

      05:25pm | 27/05/10

      Only problem with your dream team scenario Matt is that while Keating is attributed to most of the economic reform, the GST and Workchoices were Howard’s babies and the breaking of the waterfront was more Corrigan and Peter Reith, in fact you could contribute more of the negotiations in the waterfront dispute to Greg Combet than Peter Costello. In the words of Keating; “Costello was a policy bum”

    • Laura says:

      12:26pm | 26/05/10

      Has it ever been so bad in Australian politics? We have a Government that can’t govern and an Opposition who are no better. Australia politcally is a mess.

      Reply

    • Rob r Charteris says:

      01:55pm | 26/05/10

      Laura says:12:26pm ; you obviously have your head burried in the sand. “We have a Government that can’t govern” and what planet do you live on???? Pluto? or maybe Kpax more likely

    • luke09 says:

      03:49pm | 26/05/10

      Laura you’re right, the Rudd government is so bad it is making people wish John Howard was still PM.

    • Gary says:

      05:11pm | 26/05/10

      Well put Laura, both parties are in a state of shambolic mayhem at the moment but at least the Opposition’s gaffes are only made in the shadows and do not directly impact us unfortunate voters as the Govt’s do.  I think Rob r Charteris is the one with his head buried.

    • Wayne Fehlhaber says:

      07:00pm | 26/05/10

      Laura ,  we have a media which , at the moment , is struggling to come up with a decent bit of journalism among the whole lot of them. You are right to say this Rudd Labor govt. is incapable of governing .From day one ,  they have proved to be incapable of handling the national economy, inept at instituting policies and grossly negligent in managing programs. I single the media out for their obsession with nit picking incidents that most people could not care less about . Beat-ups
      designed to put their names on a by-line to gain attention to what is largely a serving of crap garnished with their own twisted political views.
      Everyone needs to step back and examine closely the attempts by certain sections of the media to taint the Abbott Opposition’s rising profile as an alternative government.
      Take the time to carefully study what is being served up by those Journos who should be serving tea and running errands for the real Journalists in the office.

    • nosthow says:

      12:30pm | 26/05/10

      Well Leo that says a lot about the sad state of the Liberal party today when their ex PM actually resigns from the party because they have gone too far to the right. And he is 100% correct. Look at some of the kooks in the Abbott Opposition - Julie Bishop, Barnaby Joyce and even Abbott himself hardly represent working Ausytralians today. No wonder Fraser is too ashamed to be associated with them !

      Reply

    • neddy says:

      02:03pm | 26/05/10

      More drivel from a Labor stooge in the media. Bishop and her colleagues are up against a vicious Labor mob, the unions and the media.
      Most of whom are so far out of touch with mainstream Oz as to be a joke.
      Make no mistake, we are waiting for Mr Rudd to call the next election and there will be payback. All the media bleating in the world can’t save him now.

    • nosthow says:

      05:08pm | 26/05/10

      @neddy - labor stooge - I beg your pardon sunshine a Labor voter thats all. What a cheek ! Apologies please ?

    • persephone says:

      05:31pm | 26/05/10

      neddy

      no one is saying that Bishop has been set up by the ‘vicious labor mob’ - this is entirely her own work.

      I don’t think the competence, morality or otherwise of the government of the day has anything to do with her stupidity.

      Unless, of course, you think that mainstream Oz thinks it’s OK for other countries to put our citizens in danger by using their identities to protect murderers?

      In which case, mainstream Oz has serious problems and need to be protected from themselves!!

    • Wayne Fehlhaber says:

      08:16pm | 26/05/10

      Nosthow , Neddy is spot -on , Leo Shanahan’s comment is a simply a lot of drivel from a Labor stooge . Take a close look at this week’s petty beat-ups being pushed as journalism from a certain group , they would far better serve their employers by carrying the tea tray and running messages for the real Journalists in the office. Both incidents mentioned in the above comment from Leo Wan…. sorry Shanahan , mean nothing to most readers seeking to avail themselves of a sensible observation from the media sector. The bottom of the barrel is being scraped in recent times , in a desperate attempt to boost this useless government’s sagging stocks. I’m sure any of us , who take an interest in current politics , would   read any observation from a Journo , whether acceptable to our political leanings or not , providing it was something worthwhile reading about. The above comment was poor journalism.

    • Anthony says:

      09:16pm | 26/05/10

      persphone, how about reading for yourself what Bishop actually said

    • persephone says:

      08:03am | 27/05/10

      Anthony

      yep, did that.

      Your point?

    • Jane says:

      12:36pm | 26/05/10

      The Liberals should do something dramatic like sack Bishop, re- install Turnbull as Leader and let Abbott be deputy attack dog. They will never get Rudd out of office the way things are at the moment. A drovers dog should be able to beat Rudd at the next election, but the lIbs have no chance anymore.

      Reply

    • Rob r Charteris says:

      02:54pm | 26/05/10

      Jane says:12:36pm; that would constitute 50 percent drop in IQ of the Liberal party

    • Ben81 says:

      05:32pm | 26/05/10

      Most people talking like that are more interested in seeing chaos in the Liberal party than anything else, because politics is a game to them.  I’d be a bit more worried about Rudd’s position if I was on the other side of the fence.

      Why would they drop the first leader who’s seriously challenged Rudd, and what’s the point of getting rid of Labor just to have just to have Turnbull in charge turning the party into Labor-lite?  I’d rather they lost the next election but were a strong true Liberal party opposition than that.

    • Evan Findlay says:

      12:36pm | 26/05/10

      Abbott’s making economic, reckless and irresponsible policy without first running it by his backbenchers. An action that raised the ire of the party faithful when Mr Turnbull committed the same act. To further his credentials as an economic charlatan, Tony then proposed a policy to dish out $10,000 to stay at home mums as a sweetner to vote for him, lied about raising the ridiculous policy on National radio and then retreated to cringeville by running the “I’m just a pathetic human being and take pity on me” and then when that failed and Neil Mitchell told him to basically “man up”, he declared himself a “Disappointment” and a “Wimp”....... At least he managed to get that right.

      Whilst I never really had time for Malcolm Fraser, as I considered him a lightweight, he does have a point. The Liberal party has embraced, under Tony Abbott, the recklessness and divisive dogma of the far right, coupled with the continuing array of lies, mistruths, blunders, security breaches, zany and flaky policy decisions and an unnerving ability to say “No” to everything the government proposes, makes one wonder how they expect to attract votes from middle Australia. The whole concept of inclusive and broad policy direction seems to be beyond their comprehension.

      Reply

    • Brad Coward says:

      04:58pm | 26/05/10

      Sorry Evan !  I read “economic charlatan” and assumed that you were speaking of Mr Rudd !

      Actually, just the word charlatan alone would have be enough.

    • Feral Wombat says:

      11:32pm | 26/05/10

      Evan Findlay

      I never liked Fraser much either, but you have to respect his (political) bravery on the issue of Vietnamese refugees. A lesser man might have used the issue of refugee boats to drum up fear and racism in Australia for his own political advantage.

      One of the things that I never liked about Fraser was what I perceived as his arrogance and sense of superiority. I was just a kid at the time and I now feel that I judged him unfairly. What I saw as arrogance may have just been confidence in his own ability to tell right from wrong and to act accordingly.

      He truly is a great loss to the Liberal Party. So much dead wood in there and they lose one of their few real statesmen.

    • Evan Findlay says:

      05:39pm | 27/05/10

      Brad,
      There is no need to apologize to me.  I had already arrived at the conclusion, sometime ago, that most of your opinions are solely based on assumptions.  I’m just amazed at how far you have come in such a short space of time . Last time we traded political views I had to correct your spelling and grammar and look at you now! You understand words like “charlatan.”
      Look at Brad….. he swallowed a dictionary. Good for you Brad.

    • Charles says:

      12:42pm | 26/05/10

      Emotionally Malcolm Fraser has not been with the Liberal party since about the mid 80’s, so anyone saying this is a bad day for the Libs is delusional.  His political position is somewhere to the Left of Bob Brown, so there is not too many in the real world that takes his views seriously.

      You might have a rethink on his record as well, since he was the one of the main instigators of allowing Robert Mugabe into his current position, which is probably not the biggest claim to fame you might want to have on your resume.

      Australia doesn’t have much to thank Malcolm Fraser for, apart from the fact he was not quite as destructive as Gough Whitlam, which means he was only a slightly lesser evil.  I think most of the Liberal party for the last 30 years or so has been trying to walk away from the fact that MT was a Lib PM once.

      Reply

    • H of SA says:

      01:51pm | 26/05/10

      I think you mean MF not MT, but was that because F is close to T on the keyboard or was it a Freudian slip?

    • Dee Why politics addict says:

      12:46pm | 26/05/10

      Its a real shame the LIBS are messing this up. They have this absolutley incompetent government ready to take down and recent sloppy performances are showing Tony Abbot’s lack of leadership in keeping a tight reign on his team. Joe Hockey missed a huge opportunity last week. and whenever Julie Bishop she speaks - the venom in her eyes is enough to make me vote elsewhere. Its really uninspiring.

      Reply

    • shane says:

      02:46pm | 26/05/10

      Don’t tell anyone, but I once saw footage of her turning a questioner to stone with that look. If you’re ever in the same room, never ever look her in the eye. And make sure you carry a mirror in case she turns her medusa gaze on you. The only way to defeat her is to reflect her “conservative” powers back on her. She’ll then enter into an infinite negative paradox loop, where she denies everything, including herself, thus destroying herself. The only thing that can break her curse is the sound of a pure man of the lord lying. Which explains why everyone in the coalition voted in Abbott I guess.

    • Feral Wombat says:

      11:47pm | 26/05/10

      Dee Why

      I’m assuming (because of your name) that you live in Bronwyn Bishop’s electorate. And yet it’s Julie Bishop’s death stare that is going to prevent you from voting for the Liberals.

      I guess there is a plethora of reasons to make such a decision. The choice between the two alternatives for the position of Minister for Foreign Affairs (Stephen Smith or Julie Bishop) is a pretty good issue to base your voting intentions on.

    • Peter the Pan says:

      12:52pm | 26/05/10

      Malcolm Fraser..now isn’t he the PM that supported that corrupt despot Mugabe?

      Reply

    • iansand says:

      02:10pm | 26/05/10

      This, and the other post about Mugabe, are a symptom of another problem the Liberals have at the moment.  It is their penchant for personal attack as their main response to something with which they disagree.  They are incapable of argument about policy.

      People enjoy the colour and movement for a while but get bored very quickly.

    • Faul Kinell says:

      02:23pm | 26/05/10

      Quite right Peter, That’s the one issue I have with Mr Fraser. The reality is the local people are far worse off under Mugabe, that’s where the real sadness is! People like Mugabe are supported and allowed to govern then plunder and cruely torture their own.

    • 6c legs says:

      12:06pm | 27/05/10

      “iansand”. absolutely spot on.

      liberals would prefer to murder one of their own rather than let that person say *anything* against their party - it doesn’t matter that the whole country would become the next middle-american state if abott/bishop were elected; but “don’t you *dare* criticise us!” (“us” being the *only people* that should evah be in government)

      ...years ago i attended Bass Liberal meetings over a 12mth period; whoa, such an eyeopener to the type of personality among the liberals!!! lol

    • iansand says:

      01:39pm | 27/05/10

      6c legs - iInteresting observation.  I have a mad mate who stands for parliament as an independent.  I man the hustings for him.  Generally, all the people handing out how to vote cards chat to each other, with the universal exception of the Liberals.

      A sample size of 5, so far.

    • Dee Why politics addict says:

      12:53pm | 26/05/10

      BTW - did anyone see Kevin ‘you know something’ Rudd’s cringeworthy speech to the socceroos? SO FAKE - I don’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth these days - how sad that this our leader.

      Reply

    • Ryan says:

      12:57pm | 26/05/10

      This man should hang his head in shame for the suffering of millions of Rhodesians / Zimbabweans both left in the country and scattered all around the world in refuge away from their families.

      Reply

    • T.Chong says:

      01:39pm | 26/05/10

      Very unfair Ryan. Pretty clever to use hindsight.
      No one could have forseen what would happen in either country, unless of course ypu believe that white colonialism was a good thing.

    • Rob r Charteris says:

      01:59pm | 26/05/10

      T.Chong says:01:39pm; With the Liberal party and it’s gaggle of followers and only look at things in hindsight, what they lack is foresight. Just look at the insulation program and the way they crow about that.

    • Ryan says:

      03:23pm | 26/05/10

      @T.Chong: hardly, there were many examples before Rhodesia, how about Northern Rhodesia (AKA Zambia), lets never forget the Belgian Congo etc.. etc.. etc.. it was a foregone conclusion.
      I hold Malcolm Fraser as responsible as those 5th Brigade members who pulled the triggers on the 20,000+ Matabele men, women and children who never had a chance at life.
      I hold Malcolm Fraser just as responsible as anyone else who supported this despot, including the Queen who thought it would be a really nice idea to give him an honorary knighthood.
      This Christmas I will remember every Rhodesian who has had their lives destroyed or not able to share their lives with their families because of the direct action of Malcolm Fraser. Shame Malcolm Fraser, shame..
      Oh and T.Chong, spare us the tired old white colonialism tag, I am surprised you didn’t call me racist too..

    • Grumbles says:

      01:00pm | 26/05/10

      Poor Leo your inability to read and listen has led to this point where you reveal yourself as a Labor Stooge. Bishop rightly claims that Australia has also faked passports, when pressed as to what foreign nations passports we forged, she again rightly claimed she had said no such thing, the obvious implication is that we have forged our own. Only a true idealist would think any differently.

      Further Isreal is our friend an ally, hamas is the enemy, a despicable group of muslim extremists hellbent on destroying the western world. We should gladly help Isreal in their actions to put a stop to international terrorism, and to kill any and all that perpetuate this terrible industry.

      Reply

    • Dan says:

      01:25pm | 26/05/10

      Oh, please. Firstly, it doesn’t matter whether Israel is an ally or not and it doesn’t matter whether Hamas is an enemy or not (and their religion equally does not matter). Israel STOLE Australian passports and used them to kill someone. That is all that matters. 

      Would you be prepared to have your passport used in such a way? Perhaps by someone you disapproved of?

      Oh, BTW, Bishop simply revealed that she and the Coalition couldn’t give a damn about the Australian national interest. She’s a hack.

    • Grumbles says:

      02:07pm | 26/05/10

      You claim that the fact that Isreal is our ally doesn’t matter? and the fact that the person they killed was a hamas gun runner indirectly resposible for the deaths of innocent Isrealies, is of little importance. You also seen to discount the fact that much of the middle east make allowances for these hamas opperatives but prevent Isrealies travelling at all. If Isreal want my passport to further their war on terror they are welcome to it.

    • Faul Kinell says:

      02:31pm | 26/05/10

      For the life of me I cannot understand how Ms Bishop is still sitting there on the opps front bench, though she does appear to have good legs!
      The Stern Hu episode had her telling the PM ” pick up the phone, tell China to lay off him” now he’s in jail 10 years for corruption he admitted!

    • Dan says:

      04:11pm | 26/05/10

      Except it’s your choice. These people did not make the choice. Can you really not see the difference?

      Also, whether Israel was involved and whom they killed is NOT important. They violated our national passport system, and stole passports from Australian nationals, who are anything but pleased. That is all that matters.

    • Joan says:

      09:18pm | 26/05/10

      Poor Dan like Rudd and Co hasn’t matured beyond ` Cranky Bear` in life. To everyone except Rudd and Co and Dan - it is common knowledge (to adults) that spy game involves false identity, papers passports etc - spies play with nasty people, and sometimes terrorists, enemies, even spies get killed. Rudd was a national embarassment as he spluttered that Bishop`s comments were a breach to national security - the rest of the world must be laughing after they listen Bishops words followed by Rudds ridiculous exageration.

    • Feral Wombat says:

      11:56pm | 26/05/10

      Grumbles

      On the inside back cover of Australian passports it is clearly written:

      “This passport remains the property of the Australian Government.”

      It is not yours to give to anyone, let alone foreigners who would pretend to be Australian in order to commit murder.

      Try showing a bit more respect for the laws and people of Australia and a bit less for foreign murderers.

    • Dan says:

      02:41pm | 27/05/10

      Joan, how much of a fool are you? Israel were caught. They were caught using the passports of Australian nationals? How naive and foolish are you? You imagine yourself as an adult, yet you don’t care at all about the national interest. I would also imagine that if it happened to you, you would not be particularly happy.

      As for Bishop, she did jeopardise national security! Either you are simply a fool or you are so pro-Liberal that just like Bishop, you would sacrifice the national interet for your own selfish reasons!

    • Trevor says:

      01:19pm | 26/05/10

      I certainly agree with the point querying why Bishop even decided this was something she should try and score political points with.  I was genuinely surprised when I saw that she had criticised the expulsion.  Why bother when there are so many other ways of attacking the government available at the moment?

      I can only conclude that she felt the need to lift her prominence within her own party, having not been sighted on issues like the mining tax or the insulation scheme.

      Reply

    • acker says:

      01:23pm | 26/05/10

      Sussan Ley would be a better option as Foreign Minister and as a high profile front bench Liberal than Julie Bishop anyway. And Senator Mathias Cormoran would make a better WA based shadow cabinet minister than Bishop as well.

      Reply

    • antiperspirant says:

      01:24pm | 26/05/10

      This is a problem?

      How?

      Fraser left the party in December. So what? Why was it not news then? Does it matter?

      My recollection of Fraser was he was ok. And he had a pants problem. That is all. Waxing lyrical and remembering the good old times may be fun but put it in its context.

      No one cares but some juiced up journo’s on a Friday night letting off steam at how it is terrible the left wing messiah is no more than a naughty boy.

      All it is is distraction and an opportunity for spin. The bigger concern is Whitlam is still in the Labor party and is revered by some there. We certainly have Whitlam Mark II economics at play so lets talk about in context of the current crop of Labor’s spend at costs failings eh?

      No

      One

      Cares

      In other news the Newtown Jets won 7 games in 1975. Wasn’t a good season. Leo go write something that matters like getting Newtown back into the comp. Perhaps you could ask Mal to come and lend a hand?

      Reply

    • Beagle says:

      03:01pm | 26/05/10

      Nice attempt to change the subject.

      The fact is an ex liberal PM (that was when they weren’t the conservatives of today) has left the liberal party because they have morphed into a right wing extremist party.

      This IS news and casts a deep and dark shadow over the ideology of the current conservative rabble.

    • antiperspirant says:

      04:41pm | 26/05/10

      *Snicker*

      Right wing extremists.

      HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

      *Sniff* What is that I smell. Is it? Could it be? Yep sure is ....... desperation is in the air.

      The rabble is polling quite ok at the moment. Gosh you guys are worried, think you can possibly lose the unlosable election?

      Thanks for the giggle Beagle. Nice one.

      Oh and since you think what Fraser says and does is news lets play the game.

      Show me one good thing he has said about ANY Liberal leader since he nodded off.

      And if he is so newsworthy and trustworthy all of a sudden to you leftie type groovers we must therefore give his recent decree that the Krudd Labor government is a worse government than Whitlam’s. Just an FYI for you Whitlam was sacked for, well lets face it, incompetence. Sort of casts a deep and dark shadow over the legitimacy of this Labor rabble. Oh well Jules will be leader soon enough in an attempt to stop the fall into the abyss.

      Glad you agree with Fraser mate. Cheers.

    • Ben81 says:

      05:25pm | 26/05/10

      Beagle - a right wing extremist party?  Maybe to you if you’re a teenage anarchist or something.  You don’t have the slightest idea of what you’re talking about, and I doubt you know or care about what conservatism is in Australia.

      Malcolm Fraser’s erratic views and public comments over the last decade at least have been common knowledge to anyone the slightest bit politically aware.  (Doesn’t have many nice things to say about Rudd either, by the way)  Why are you suddenly so surprised by him to say he somehow means anything at all to the ideology of the Liberal party?

    • persephone says:

      06:18pm | 26/05/10

      So if you don’t care, why comment?

    • Robert says:

      01:29pm | 26/05/10

      I and eight of my Liberal Party friends left the Party four months ago.
      No reasonable person can support this party anymore.
      We wait for our Messiah to come and take control of this Circus.
      Bishop has gone bananas,too mush hair spray I guess.
      It will take ages for Liberal Coalition to Govern in Australia again.

      Reply

    • antiperspirant says:

      02:02pm | 26/05/10

      Did the door hit you on your way out?

      Pray tell what party do you now belong to. What driving light is out there that you support?

      Is there anything but a “I did it too” unconfirmed response to a article in you?

      Do you agree Newtown should be back in first grade?

    • Colin Potter says:

      02:12pm | 26/05/10

      My partner and I left when Tony became uncomfortable with us.

    • Saskia says:

      02:47pm | 26/05/10

      Why did you leave? Reasons?

      Liberal Coalition???  Another fake post by desperate ALP/socialists acutely aware they this govt is deep into its end days.

    • iansand says:

      04:32pm | 26/05/10

      Attacking people for leaving seems ... counter-productive.  Is it a breach of party discipline?

    • Ann says:

      06:17pm | 26/05/10

      Fraser is a gentleman,humanitarian,patriotic,sensible,reasonable ,intelligent Australian Statesman and He is respected throughout Australia and the world.
      As any politician he had his ups and downs but always showed respect and dignity to others in opposition or colleagues in his Party.
      Last year when Tony took over I lost all hope in the Party.
      Costello was very smart to live as he knew what was coming.
      When I watch or listen to Tony or the others I am ashamed of what become of once grate Party.
      All the talent is gone, it is true and I agree with Robert that it will take long time in the wilderness for Liberal Party to gain trust and credibility of Australian people.
      I am afraid that this year election we loosing so far.
      As for Bishop I rather not to waste my time on her.

    • Freeman says:

      09:20am | 27/05/10

      Robert,
      If your story were in fact true you should take it to the ABC as it would be most news worthy. a group of Liberal party memebers leaving while the
      party was making a comeback and labor was falling apart amidst the insulation debarcle.
      until that happens your post will just look like another Labor supporter has made up a cock and bull story

    • Robert says:

      12:27pm | 27/05/10

      @ Freeman.
      If you don’t believe me then ask WA Liberal Party how many of us left the Party this year and how many new members has join since January 2010.
      And because of people like you we had enough,to stop the madness one has to cut yourself off from it.

    • Freeman says:

      07:14pm | 27/05/10

      @ Robert

      ok, I will

      ring, ring

      libs of WA;“hello?”

      Freeman ” hey libs of WA, are you missing Robert and his 8 imaginary friends since they supposedly deserted you?”

      libs of WA” Who the hell is Robert?”

    • shane says:

      01:30pm | 26/05/10

      I love watching right wingers on these blogs try and defend stuff ups by the coalition. They seem to go either 2 ways.

      1. Screech about how bad Labor is. I guess the argument being that no screw up is big enough to compare to the election of any other party but the libs.

      2. Accuse the writer of the article of being a leftie labor sympathiser, thereby dissmissing said article of any validity.

      Either argument does nothing but show the blind partisan loyalty you have. Labor supporters are guilty of it also, but it doesn’t seem to be as rabidly irrational as the “conservatives”.

      The irrational aneurism popping angry of right is a joy to behold.

      Reply

    • hot tub politcal machine says:

      01:56pm | 26/05/10

      Hi Shane,

      Did you spot one or two of them actually saying that it didn’t matter what happened, they would vote for the Liberals?

      The mind boggles at someone actually being public about the fact they disregard reality in their voting but some do it.

    • antiperspirant says:

      02:07pm | 26/05/10

      Well Shane lets be honest here

      1. It is pretty easy to do the screeching so much material is readily available. And no you have the argument wrong. The argument is Labor has stuffed everything they have touched. It ain’t real hard. One day when your all grown up you will see it too.

      2. Pretty much explains the whole of the msm if you were to generalise. Hence the years of nil questioning of Rudd until the weight of evidence was so damming and the gaffes so stupendously obvious that only a few hard loyalists could not contain themselves any longer.

      The rest of your work of fiction seems based around the left is better than the right cause you said so.

      Well done fella. Great work. What prize do you want to win.

    • hot tub political machine says:

      03:35pm | 26/05/10

      Case in point right above eh Shane?

      You have to love when a rebuttal actually reinforces what you just said - almost perfectly.

    • Beagle says:

      03:41pm | 26/05/10

      antiperspirant - The way you are getting worked up, I don’t think you will make it another 10 or so years till the conservatives again have a real shot at governing.

      I suggest you start self medicating, eat less fatty foods and get some exercise or you’ll end up having a coronary in the meantime.

    • shane says:

      03:49pm | 26/05/10

      My price is reading seeing you trying to defend a bunch of morons, and finding amusement in it.

      I concede I find the liberal party a bunch of reactionary, nothing to offer, mean spirited idiots. But I dislike the Labor party almost as much. I’ve never particularly liked Rudd, but I detest Abbott’s crusade thuggery more.

      The fact that you seem to believe the entire Australian media were until recently a bunch of lefties does nothing but add validity to my argument of irrational partisanship.

      Enjoy your righteous anger. I certainly am.

    • shane says:

      03:54pm | 26/05/10

      Hi hot tub political machine,

      I was just about to say the same thing. Halarious!!

    • antiperspirant says:

      04:47pm | 26/05/10

      HAHAHAHAHAHA

      When you have no argument all that is left is ad homien attacks.

      /snore. Wake me up when a thought crooses the synapses kids.

    • Ben81 says:

      05:41pm | 26/05/10

      I think you’re only reading what you want to read, Shane.  Do I really need to point out the childish regulars here from your camp?  Also you probably shouldn’t accuse others of being blind partisans after writing a post that rates about a 9.0 the party political smug scale.

    • antiperspirant says:

      09:13pm | 26/05/10

      “Also you probably shouldn’t accuse others of being blind partisans after writing a post that rates about a 9.0 the party political smug scale. “

      That is awesome Ben. i love it. Comment of the week smile

    • Angela says:

      01:39pm | 26/05/10

      Liberals need to be in Opposition for another term. Hopefully during another term in Opposition they can find some people for the front bench that can be capable of being an alternative Government. The team at the moment don’t know their heads from their toes. Rudd and Labor don’t deserve to be in office either but there is no alternative.

      Reply

    • H of SA says:

      01:48pm | 26/05/10

      Interesting article Leo – you would be a rare voice in the media in believing that the Liberal party is not dominated by its right wing faction but some of what you say has merit.

      I would suggest however there are counter arguments that have some merit too.

      Fraser quitting is not so much about the coming election but more about the party itself.

      As you point out the wets only lost the leadership spill by one vote – but look at the circumstances around that vote. On this very site we had Liberal party MP’s saying the reason they wanted Turnbull out what that they were opposed to his ideology (See Bronwyn Bishop’s punch article entitled “Malcolm, we want our party back now” http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/hey-malcolm-we-want-our-party-back-turnbull-liberal-leadership/) and that it had been because of the many outraged letters and emails from “grassroots supporters”.

      Perhaps I’m being unfair, but my guess is the many grass roots supporters writing these scathing letters were the hard right age 80+ retirees (who else has the time to write nasty letters about Turnbull other than students and retirees? And I’m betting not many students are anti-Turnbull). The fact the party listened, and pushed a leader out because of these hard right “supporters” suggest to me the party is firmly, and very firmly in the hands of the far right.

      And speaking of Bronnie Bishop, what was her elevation to the frontbench if not a message to the party faithful that the right is back in control?

      The fact Fraser is leaving shows that he – the wettest of wets – no longer feels at home there, I’m guessing many other wet members are not happy with the fact the party has gone hard right either but willing to stay – he is the most left of Libs and he has been forced out. The question is, how long will the pro-business, libertarian types with progressive views still feel at home in the party if they go even further down the anti-immigration line? I have been playing with the idea of joining the Liberal party to protest its lurch to the right from within (as someone who is somewhat left on policy but morally conservative), but it sounds like the not welcome signs are up.

      Reply

    • iansand says:

      02:14pm | 26/05/10

      I was a wet Liberal.  Not a party member, but I felt comfortable voting for them until the lurch to the hard right under Howard.  They became a mean- spirited party.

    • Randal says:

      04:52pm | 26/05/10

      Well H of SA, I was one of those Liberals who wrote letters condemning Turnbull, I am under 30 work in a management position and had not been engaged with politics in a direct way for over a decade.

      In my discussions with others who are in my age bracket and Liberal supporters, they too wanted Turnbull gone, and many like myself would not have voted Liberal had Turnbull remained leader and we let the party know this.

      The notion that it was some hard right element of the party grass roots that rose is a Labor fantasy, it was not from either left or right, it was instead from the parties centre, people who where as stunned as I that the party would support the madness of an ETS without the rest of the developed world agreeing to implement one that drove us and eventually Malcolm out of the leadership.

      In fact I have now recently re-joined the Liberal Party and I have been told they have been swelling with an intake of new membership since Turnbull was ousted, who are now supporting those many emails and letters with on the ground support - and for your info I am yet to run into these 80+ year old’s you refer to do, but if I have only been a member for a month so if I do I will let you know.

    • Dougy says:

      01:48pm | 26/05/10

      In fairness, Bishop might have been using Tony Abbott’s ‘heat of battle’ defence meaning Coalition MPs can say whatever they want as long as they retract it later in a written statement.

      Reply

    • persephone says:

      06:25pm | 26/05/10

      So we have a Leader of the Liberals who can only be trusted if he puts it in writing and a Deputy Leader who can’t be trusted if she’s put it in writing and apparently doesn’t know what she’s said five minutes after she’s said it.

      Going to make sorting out the ‘core’ and ‘non core’ promises from the Libs fun!

    • antiperspirant says:

      09:24pm | 26/05/10

      Juxtapose that against 3 years of constant lies and backflips and reversals.

      Ladies and gents we have a context between politicians.

      Lawl pers. I love how desperate you are to portray Abbott as a liar to deflect the heat off Krudd. The joke is Rudd won’t even condemn him because he knows he will hung out to dry if he tries.

      What a coward. Given a free kick and will not take the opportunity. What a farce lawl.

    • persephone says:

      08:11am | 27/05/10

      Er…I think you’ll find Rudd did condemn him, Mark.

      And I’m not portraying Abbott as a liar. He admitted he is one.

    • Mazzy says:

      01:56pm | 26/05/10

      when I see Julie Bishop in interview, I either cringe or laugh. My favorite interviews were when she would mention that she had been to Harvard law school. Bishop would appear to grow even more superior than her usual persona.  But l fell about in laughter when it came out that Bishop had only attended a 2 week summer school.

      Reply

    • T.Chong says:

      02:12pm | 26/05/10

      Mazzy, a little detail like youve raised matters not to the LNP and their bloggers.

    • Thomas G says:

      02:35pm | 26/05/10

      Care to provide us with the ALP cabinets Business/Finance/Commerce professional qualifications and private sector experience?

      Didn’t think so.  No wonder this country is going to the dogs.  We are run by unqualified, public service and Union stooges.  Bishop would have better quallies and experience than anyone in the ALP.

    • MatLon says:

      02:44pm | 26/05/10

      I know exactly what you mean, for most people, their reaction to Julie Bishop is quite visceral - and not in a good way. She is truly cringe worthy, and while i despise the ALP and Rudd right now, Bishop is a deal breaker for me, no way, not ever.

      No vote for Labor or Libs this time for me. Unless, before the election, the Liberals can get back to a true conservative ideology, and not this cheap populist social conservatism we are fed.

      Roll on the election and give us some worth independents. I will paint the walls with my brains before i vote Green.

    • James Y says:

      02:12pm | 26/05/10

      How have the Liberals moved further to the right?  Anyone care to provide evidence?  Such a glib line.

      Abbott himself has proposed a comprehensive maternity leave scheme - hardly right wing.

      Just another media beat up.

      As for the passport affair - why no comment on Rudd’s late press statement yesterday where he displayed faux outrage at Bishops comments.  If you haven’t seen it it is hilarious for the pompous mock anger that nerd has summoned up. 

      Truly one of his best acting performances yet.  The uber-nerd looks like he is under so much pressure.  I predict he will crack very soon or quit.

      Reply

    • The Badger says:

      03:09pm | 26/05/10

      These right wing liberals should form a new party.

      Why don’t they name it the 3H party after the bulk of their constituents?

      Hillbillies , Hayseeds and Homo phobics.

      Reply

    • antiperspirant says:

      04:51pm | 26/05/10

      Ouch.

      That really hurt.

      I stood on a tack.

      Now where was I oh yes. Hi Badger!! You sir are an idiot. Get back to us when you have something to add that has a point of some validity > Okies tooddles.

      I lol so hard with the small thinkers wanting, desperately needing, the Libs to be branded evil/arch/extremists.
      Desperation…..I smell it everywhere in the blogs. To think you guys are so worried.

    • Jack McCain says:

      03:12pm | 26/05/10

      Dan, where do you get your facts from, the alp news service? They are accused of forging Australian passports, big difference. The other fact that you choose to ignore is KRudd needs to borrow money from the Arabs to prop up his spending spree , so this has all come about because KRudd wanted to gain some favour

      Reply

    • Dan says:

      04:13pm | 26/05/10

      It’s pretty much establised that Israel was involved. Everyone knows they did it. Including the writer of this article. I guess you think that he’s getting his info from the alp news service?

      As for your second point, where did you get that info? From the liberal news service?

      Rudd did the right thing. Unlike Bishop, and presumably you, he cares about the national interest.

    • Ah McCain you'e done it again says:

      05:31pm | 26/05/10

      Hey Jack,

      Do you have those black helicopters following you around also?

      And I thought it was just me.

    • persephone says:

      06:30pm | 26/05/10

      Bishop made it pretty clear that she believes Israel used the passports.

      Of course, that’s what she said on the interview, but she hasn’t got around to denying it yet, so I’m assuming it’s still something she admits to saying.

    • OhBugga says:

      03:24pm | 26/05/10

      I have given up on the Liberals, Tony Abbott openly confesses hes a liar, acting tresurer Jo Hockey rambles on with long boring speaches then shunts off the actual budget figures to Andrew Robb, now this with Julia Bishop. Shes an aging teenager without enough common sense to button her lip. There is no way I am voting for the party we know we can’t trust before they get in power. To me tha’s lunacy. I watched both those interviews with her and she looked like the cat that swollowed the cream,  shes way to smug. They need to replace this woman who has serviced as alternative Deputy Pm and whole host of those leaders of the opposition who have been removed from the job.

      Reply

    • Democrat says:

      03:27pm | 26/05/10

      The departure of Fraser from the Liberal Party says it all - it is now a Party of the right and when the history of recent years is viewed more dispassionately it was John Howard who ensured it’s decline. There is hope for it however and that can be seen in the decision of Turnbull to reverse his decision and to renominate for Wentworth. He knows that Hockey does not have the goods to lead the Liberals. He also knows that Rudd will be returned (perhaps by default) but certainly not in a landslide ,and that he will be the leader after the election with a shot at being Prime Minister at the next election.  Abbott, Bishop (both) are an embarrassment.

      Reply

    • Keith says:

      03:56pm | 26/05/10

      Turnbull will return as leader of the Libs sometime after the election and Hockey will be deputy.

    • Wombat says:

      04:07pm | 26/05/10

      The usual distractions for this Government when in crisis. Stop giving Rudd et al this rock to hide under. When are you journalist going to wake up to the very real cost to us all, of Rudd and his incompetent band of idiots?

      P.S. I did vote Labor last election (for only the second time in 20 years), I’m just not stupid enough to have not woken up.

      Reply

    • persephone says:

      06:32pm | 26/05/10

      Yep, Julie Bishop just did this to divert attention from the Labor party.

      She’s not really a twit, it’s just a ploy.

    • TheRealWombat says:

      08:45pm | 26/05/10

      Great name, Wombat! Pretty ridiculous post, though.

      So you think that foreign governments forging Australian passports to assist their spies to commit murder is just a distraction? Or is it Julie Bishop’s stupid statements that harm our national interests in an attempt to gain a political advantage that are distractions? Are you seriously suggesting that these are not important issues?

      There are more important things at stake here than your voting patterns.

    • Wombat says:

      08:51pm | 26/05/10

      No persephone, if you listen to the actual interview, Bishop was verballed - much like Abbott. She’s lousy at the spin that Rudd, Gillard, Swan & Tanner have mastered. Just the sort of hyperbole that led me to vote for their party.

      However, you have to be an ALP staffer, a dyed in the wool 6th generation Labor voter or a complete moron to believe this government can run the country.

      I don’t care if Abbott and the rest of them appear clumsy in the clutches of our pathetic Rudd apologists MSM, I’m not falling for any more of their spin.

      Fraser resigned from the Libs in December, he’s a “has been” and probably would not have been PM if Whitlam was not so incompetent. But Rudd’s made another mess of policy, so we get this sort of pathetic “story” from our so-called journalists.

    • King Wombat says:

      05:22am | 27/05/10

      Wombat

      That’s great! Another pastiche of bizarre personal opinions masquerading as rational argument.

      If Hawke or Keating resigned from the ALP then I would expect it to be reported. If Labor was in opposition and a shadow minister made the sort of stupid claims that Julie Bishop made, only a fool would argue that it should not be reported. These are issues that are being widely covered in the media. Maybe you should just look away for a while.

      And there’s no need for anyone to verbal Julie. She’s entirely capable of making these stupid statements all by herself. After saying that Israel was not the only country that used forged passports for security operations, Julie was asked:

      Interviewer: “What, we do?”
      Julie: “Yes.”

      When questioned further about whether Australia had forged passports, Julie said:
      “I believe that it has occurred.”

      Julie also told Melbourne radio:
      “And it wouldn’t be the first time that another country forged passports for a particular operation. And I would include in that Australia.”

      If someone is verballing Julie then they are doing an incredibly good job. They must be following her around and repeatedly putting stupid words in her mouth. It must be one of those socialist/media/Zionist conspiracies.

    • Randal says:

      04:38pm | 26/05/10

      Any assessment of Fraser’s reign is rarely positive as he was seen to have stolen office, economically the nation was a basket case with double digit inflation and unemployment and by the early 80’s our economy was in full retreat and in the throw of a dreadful drought affected recession. Problems for which the government had no answers and Malcolm was eventually swept out of office by a nation that had enough of is “Life was not meant to be easy” views.

      In an administration of little achievement his greatest triumph was the removal of the white government of Rhodesia, which whilst applauded for many years, is now seen as a blunder due to the actions of the man Fraser pushed to instill as leader, the despot Robert Mugabe’s actions of recent years.

      As a result, Fraser is a man desperately searching for a legacy in retirement that he could never find in office due to his failures of government and his well known “manic determination to get his own way”, which led him to betray his good friend and strong supporter Gorton, abuse the powers of the Senate to create a constitutional crisis, and cynically use parliamentary powers to call an unneeded double dissolution election in a attempt to face Hayden instead of Hawke (a move trumped by the ALP).

      He was a man renowned for doing whatever was necessary to forward his desire for power and once he had seized that power found that all is thoughts had been consumed in the getting there and he then had very little further to give, this a clear regret for him, and upon reflection of his public life he has sought a redemption that will never come from the left and in turn has been alienating his own party for decades, something that to me is very sad

      The irony is that the ALP ran campaigns against Malcolm, not dissimilar to that they currently run against Tony Abbott and have been reflected in this piece, painting Fraser as an extremist from the right wing of the party - a view Malcolm has been desperately attempting to change for the past 30 years, and one that will only shift in the eyes of Liberal supporters as those on the other side will never forgive what Malcolm did to Whitlam and will hate him for it forever.

      Reply

    • persephone says:

      06:37pm | 26/05/10

      To be fair, he had a really bad Treasurer, who achieved what had been regarded as an impossible trifecta - high interest rates, high unemployment and high inflation.

      Forgotten the man’s name - little guy with big glasses….

    • Feral Wombat says:

      12:04am | 27/05/10

      Persephone

      I remember that bloke. Used to have really bushy eyebrows and bad teeth. I heard that he had some cosmetic work done.

      Didn’t he also leave behind a huge budget black hole that he had hidden from the Australian people before the 1983 election?

    • Randal says:

      09:50am | 27/05/10

      Would that be the same man who would go on and become Australia’s second longest serving Prime Minister, and deliver to the nation a level of prosperity that had never been seen before?

      Perhaps it says more about the importance of leadership in government and helps us understand what occurs when leaders are unable to make the tough decisions and worry more about populism than action.

      Makes me thinks of the current government and the back flips and mismanagement, and perhaps it is not Swan who should be blamed for the failings of this administration, instead blame should be laid at the feet of the leader of the government - a man who seems to not have a single moral conviction in thought or idea.

      Mmmm… there are always lessons from to be learnt from the past and thank you Perse and the Wombat for pointing me in the right direction!

    • iansand says:

      11:13am | 27/05/10

      I think that Randal’s and Persephone’s demonstrate one thing.  Our economic fortunes depend on the tides of the global economy, and have little to do with the economic policies of those who we permit to rule us.  As Treasurer Howard was buffeted by a turbulent world economy.  As PM he was buoyed by a wave of global prosperity.

      Nautical imagery ends.

    • Feral Wombat says:

      06:37pm | 27/05/10

      Randal

      No need to thank me! I suspect that pointing you in the right direction is a task beyond me or any other mortal. If I may steal a little from iansand here, Howard got smacked in the butt by a tsunami of Chinese cash. Great work, Johnny!

      It’s a while ago, but if I remember correctly Howard’s excuse for lying about the state of the government’s finances was: “Fraser made me do it.”

      Apparently the Fiberals hadn’t yet come up with the brilliant “it wasn’t written down” defence yet.

    • Brad Coward says:

      04:53pm | 26/05/10

      If this is such a huge, ground breaking, earth shattering story…..can anyone tell me why it wasn’t reported back in December when Mr Fraser resigned from the Liberal Party ?

      Obviously it didn’t suit the press or the Rudd government’s agenda to report it !

      Reply

    • MY Hero says:

      05:55pm | 26/05/10

      Poor Brad,apparently it was an agreement that Fraser had with the liberals not to go public. And gee whiz Bolt in melbourne didnt hear the rumors or wasnt interested!

    • antiperspirant says:

      09:29pm | 26/05/10

      “wasnt interested”

      Pray tell anyone show me where Fraser has said a good thing about the Libs since running away?

    • Randal says:

      05:13pm | 26/05/10

      Wow Leo, what amazing insight, a former PM who thinks that anyone who has followed him is not fit to lace his boots - well that’s a shock.

      Why not give Hawke/Keating a call and ask their views on Rudd, last quote from Hawke that I saw was him calling for Rudd to resign, as for Keating I think we all know what that vile little creature thinks of Rudd, and to be fair anyone else who is not Paul.

      As for the Bishop tale, has there been a bigger non-issue in politics!

      It is nothing more than PR spin and distraction to focus of the disastrous Resources Super Rip-off Tax and you have taken the bait (to be fair so has Julie)... they must love you at ALP Spin HQ (and Julie for that matter).

      Here’s a thought bubble for you, why not write a piece on why the Australian government believe that the State Sanctioned murder by one sovereign nation in another sovereign nation is worth no more than a shake of the head, whilst the use of an Australian Passport in this murder requires an expulsion.

      Now there’s a challenge for you, take a real stand, and try some journalism, rather than just regurgitating the crap you find on the newswires – it would make a refreshing change!

      Perhaps why you are taking up this challenge, you could point out that the use of forged passports in the names of other nations is really as common as mud for ALL international security agencies, including ASIO, and for the government to suggest otherwise is pure SPIN and a clear effort to DISTRACT from their own failures.

      Hell son, if you follow this advise we may make a reporter out of you yet!

      Reply

    • Steve Putnam says:

      07:48pm | 26/05/10

      Once again Randal you post comments that are nothing less than breathtaking in their ignorance! It was Bishop herself who brought up this issue hoping to score political points; the ALP just called her on it—they’re not spinning anything. Whether you realise it or not, it has been a convention in this country at least since WWII that politicians don’t comment on intelligence issues, as this can endanger the operative in the field or the overall success of the operation. That Bishop did this as part her faux outrage at the expulsion of an Israeli diplomat (when she had been part of a government that had done just that) shows that she is entirely willing to put party interests above those of country.

    • Randal says:

      09:42am | 27/05/10

      Steve, it was the ALP who announced the expulsion of the ALP diplomat for a well known espionage practice, and a practice that would have been breached numerous times by Australia’s security forces, and it was done in the midst of enormous pressure they have been facing in regards to the RRT, and had purely one political motive - distraction, and to suggest otherwise shows your ignorance, or to be more accurate, an obvious bias.

      I am not defending Bishop here, she made two awful gaffes, but contravening a convention on security was not one of them, as to do so you would need to publically release information on a specific operation, or information that may affect future operations.

      Stating what is known common practice across the espionage world to criticise a political stunt by the government does not even come close.

      Her mistakes where instead to initially to take the bait and then having done so attempt to back away from comments that where obviously made, instead she should have attacked both the hypocrisy of a government who finds the use of forged passports more abhorrent than murder and the political opportunism in the expulsion.

      In the end she did neither and has again shown that her position on the front bench in the Opposition is quite regularly a win for the government, no wonder not a single government member has called for her sacking, why would they when she stumbles from one gaffe to the next.

    • iansand says:

      11:32am | 27/05/10

      Randal 09:42am
      Or she could have asked for a briefing from ASIO and STFU.  She has adopted Abbotts politics of the first thing that comes into her head instead of demonstrating her understanding of the need for discretion.  Something that is quite important for a foreign minister.

    • john says:

      06:39pm | 26/05/10

      What’s even more interesting to me than Bishop’s massive stuff up is the continuing denial by Liberal supporters that she did the wrong thing, it’s quite amazing.  I don’t think many people are grasping the fact that she broke a long standing parliamentary convention, that is not to comment on matters of national security.  Whether Australia has forged passports or not is much less of an issue than her complete disregard for one of parliament’s most important practices.

      Reply

    • Grumbles says:

      08:32pm | 26/05/10

      Here’s the transcript John, please highlight where she broke the parlimentary convention, and even further, where she did the wrong thing.

        JULIE BISHOP: It would be naive to think that Israel is the only country in the world that has used forged passports, including Australian passports, for security operations.

        TIM LESTER: What, we do?

        JULIE BISHOP: Yes.

        TIM LESTER: We use, our intelligence agencies forge passports for use in foreign operations?

        JULIE BISHOP: Our Australian passports have been used I said, Australian passports have been used by other countries. Has Australia forged passports before? You will have to ask the Foreign Minister.

    • Feral Wombat says:

      12:12am | 27/05/10

      john

      I agree completely. Can you believe that soon Julie could be the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs? She would make Downer look competent by comparison.

      If the Libs win the election, I’d give Julie about a week before she gets us involved in another stupid war.

    • Steve Putnam says:

      08:27pm | 27/05/10

      Randal actually you are defending JB by down-playing the seriousness of her transgressions. By implication you claim a knowledge of Parliamentary convention, perhaps you could give an example from either the red or green hansards from the past seventy years where a member or senator has spilt so many beans in a single sentence. As to the expulsion, what was Australia supposed to do? If we didn’t expel anyone it would be tantamount to condoning our being used as pawns in an assassination. There is also the little matter of those whose identities were stolen. They could quite easily have ended up on some Hamas hit list. In 2004 Alexander Downer gave an Israeli diplomat 48 hours to quit the country; this passed without comment by the then opposition.

    • Nkosi Mzungu says:

      07:20pm | 26/05/10

      Well said Ryan, you know what you are on about regarding Fraser & Rhodesia. I was there and this bastard Fraser who thinks he knows all about Africa has blood on his hands . Most of us hate him and wish the worst for him.

      Reply

    • 6c legs says:

      04:58pm | 27/05/10

      I’m pretty sure that Fraser didn’t see himself as an Africa Expert.

      Fraser, & the rest of the world not having a crystal ball re that despot isn’t any sort of argument.  And mate, “wishing the worst” for a politican really isn’t what ‘we’ do in Democracies, no matter what side of The House someone sits.

      (and I really did despise Fraser during the 70’s - but then as I got older, and learned to think critically, I realised that *I* was the one that knew nothing.)

    • Pamela Garland says:

      09:21pm | 26/05/10

      Your comment:
      Julie Bishop has breached Australian security protocol.

      She proves that she is not fit nor qualified to keep her post….her position is untenable

      Reply

    • 6c legs says:

      06:28pm | 27/05/10

      aw,  you’re no fun, Pamela - the U.S nearly had Sarah Palin, (and still could) so why can’t we have Julie B? you know, just so we can go: nah nah nanana, we’ve gotta nutter, and yeww haven’t…


      Now theres a movie for Thriller/Spy movie buffs: SP as ‘leader of the free world’ and our own JB having direct access to “the red telephone”... ohh the 3am natters that they could have, deciding who to bomb next!
      it could even be a tv sitcom - “The Palin’s Playhouse”, or a Reality Show? gah, the options are endless! (pity the way bombs are now, you can only really press the button/enter the code once… )

      Tony Abott and Julie Bishop would be Australias very own GW Bush and Dick Cheney if elected.

      And if that doesn’t scare the pants off the electorate, then i’m giving up on political junkies - I’ll join Malcom and Tammy watching daytime soapies… >shivers<

    • Daniel says:

      09:33pm | 26/05/10

      Bishop has always been political deadwood.Cut her loose and sack her I say.

      Reply

    • Seano says:

      10:15pm | 26/05/10

      Fraser is absolutely right. Abbott is all over the place.

      In the long run I think this is good for Australia. The Libs will lose the next election when the unelectable Abbott fails. And the experiment with far right win politics will be abandoned.

      At the next election Labor will hopefully be under the pump from a Hockey/Turnbull led small(ish) L liberal party.

      Reply

    • Freeman says:

      09:38am | 27/05/10

      Abbott’s done his job, in opposition at least. he saved us from being nearly the only country to implement a crippling ETS and has applied some real pressure and genuine criticism to Labor so now they actually have to answer for their mistakes. Now turnbull, he is truly un-electable (20% approval?)  and should be in the Labor party anyway.

    • Seano says:

      04:31pm | 27/05/10

      Abbott hasn’t done a thing other than blocking. The bloke is a policy vaccuum but then look who I’m talking too…

    • Freeman says:

      07:26pm | 27/05/10

      so I’m a policy vacuum? ummm, I guess i’m insulted by that? bravo…...
      come on, you can do better than that Seano! what happened to your usual condescending tone and your sock puppet conspiracy theories?

      I bet Kev wishes tony and malcom blocked more of his stupid policies, it would have saved him from making all those embarrassing mistakes and backflips.

    • Feral Wombat says:

      11:20pm | 26/05/10

      Julie Bishop is an incompetent fool. The only reason she is not on the backbenches is that the Coalition needs a woman to counter Julia Gillard, to make it appear that they are not just an old boys’ club, composed of well connected, ex GPS prats.

      That’s fine. I understand that the Liberals feel the need to have a woman up front. But why can’t they find a competent one? And if they can’t, then why do they think that, after her complete failure as Shadow Treasurer, Foreign Affairs is the right place to hide Julie?

      Given that Julie is briefed by Australia’s intelligence agencies, her claim that Australia has been involved in forging passports, whether true or not, shows a complete disregard for our national interests, for the operations of Australia’s intelligence agencies and for anyone travelling on an Australian passport.

      No wonder the Liberals are constantly getting us into stupid wars when they are in government. The extremely important portfolio of Foreign Affairs is seen by the Liberals as a place to hide blithering idiots and brainless, arrogant prattlers like Julie Bishop and Alexander Downer.

      In contrast, I give you the extremely cautious and competent Stephen Smith. Smith is an excellent example of what Australians should demand from our Minister for Foreign Affairs.

      Reply

    • Saskia says:

      12:19pm | 27/05/10

      The same Smith that would not make eye contact to anyone during his cringeworthy press conference the other day?

      The twat is doing Krudd’ bidding in a desperate attempt to curry favour with the Arabian nations so as to get a seat on the UN Security Council.

      It was crystal clear as was Smiths faux outrage and his obvious discomfort in being there and doing what he was forced to do.

    • 6c legs says:

      04:38pm | 27/05/10

      “Saskia”, mate, i can’t help meself, and i gotta ask; Does your computer automatically include your “UN consipracy” every time you reply to a Punch story?  It must save you from having to think about your reply?
      Because it seems to me that all your responses on Punch always involve the same ‘UN twaddle’. ..
      who cares- within reason of course - what a PM does when they leave Canberra!?

      I think that the Young Liberals (just by dint of existence) were the need for a term like “conspiracy theory” to be invented. lol

      To the mod: I am not “cyber-stalking”  *anyone*. It’s impossible to be a regular reader and NOT remember what some “commentators” post - when no matter what the subject is, they feel bound to mention the same thing, over, and over, and over again ad nausea!

    • Feral Wombat says:

      06:47pm | 27/05/10

      Saskia

      Yes, Australia’s Foreign Minister would surely only defend the integrity of Australian passports in order to suck up to the Arabs. Now I get it.

      It’s also great to have you explain the reasons for Stephen Smith’s eye movements and “obvious discomfort” to us.

      Maybe next time you could also let us know why he chose the steak for lunch and what he was thinking as he ate it.

    • Suffering voter says:

      06:59am | 27/05/10

      “Fraser should take Bishop with him on the way out”.
      With a headline like that I got very excited, thinking it was a reference to Bronwyn Bishop. But alas!! Perhaps, two Bishops and one Abbott would be a great idea if Fraser would take them all with him.

      Reply

    • Willy_K says:

      12:12pm | 27/05/10

      Bishop is dead right about Australian use of foreign passports - it is stone cold fact.

      http://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-part-of-fake-passport-swapping-club-20100526-webm.html


      Those puffed up twerps Rudd and Smith have done untold damage with their cowardly grandstanding and hanging out to dry an ally.

      All to feed Rudds obsession with being on the UN Security Council by sucking up to Arab nations.

      Thankfully this hopeless Govt is deep into its end days.

      Reply

    • iansand says:

      04:16pm | 27/05/10

      By arrangement between governments and using invented identities.

      She still should have stonewalled.  Blurt politics.

    • Feral Wombat says:

      07:01pm | 27/05/10

      Willy K

      To paraphrase the article that you have linked to:

      “Australia forges passports, because I said so and somebody told me so, so there, it’s true, and once again in case you missed it - somebody told me that it was true. There, I’ve proved it!”

      That article was about as reliable as an unscripted promise from Tony Abbott or a pink Australian passport with a Gucci coat of arms on it handed to you by Julie Bishop.

    • Dan says:

      08:11pm | 27/05/10

      Except Israel was caught using Austrlian passports. As for hanging out to dry an ally, what do you think Israel did?

      Rudd did the right thing. He, unlike the coalition, cares about the national interest

    • Steve Putnam says:

      10:32pm | 28/05/10

      Australia did exactly what it had to do. It did what Canada and Britain did under the same circumstances and it did what the Liberals did, when in 2004, Downer expelled on Israeli diplomat with only 48 hours notice.

    • Steve Putnam says:

      10:50pm | 28/05/10

      Willy K….WAIT! I know you -you’re Herr K from Kafka’s novel “The Trial”. What a nightmarish world you inhabit!

    • Lenti says:

      12:56pm | 27/05/10

      Malcolm Fraser criticising Tony Abbott and the Liberal Party for being too far right?????? I bed your pardon!!!! One could hardly call some of their policies and schemes when they were in government under that ‘ultra right winger conservative’(!) John Howard right wing or conservative….... a)Baby Bonus b)Prisoner exchange programs with Thailand, Indonesia and other countries c) First home buyers grants. I could go on but I’d say that these are just 3 examples of schemes that would be more fitting for a left socialist Labor government then a supposedly conservative ‘right wing’(!) Coalition government? If Tony Abbott is too right wing, then Malcom Fraser is a communist (a communist who is also losing his marbles!). Hang on….... didn’t Fraser praise up Chinese communist leader and mass murderer Chairman Mao when he died in 1976? Yes he did and he did it in our DEMOCRATIC parliament where he praised Mao for his ‘contribution’ in making the world a more ‘egalitarian’ place! I say, lets pop the champagne corks as Fraser was a disgrace to the Liberal Party…... a party that is supposed to represent the more ‘conservative’ Australia. Good riddance to him and his lefty touchy feeley civil libetarian hogwash! Perhaps he should join the ALP, the party of his old mate Gough Whitlam. Hang on, they’re probably too far to the right for him as well!!!!

      Reply

    • Elizabeth S. Gold Coast says:

      04:16pm | 27/05/10

      Goodbye Fraser, you have no t helped this country one iota except a deal on politicians’ meal in Canberra.  Unfortunately people seem to have forgotten you signed the Lima agreement which doomed this country.  Then you sobbed on television some time later of the terrible mistake you had made. You should have been sacked then.

      Reply

    • Lord Stanley says:

      12:47am | 30/05/10

      Fine, I’ll bite - what is this ‘Lima agreement’ of which you speak?
      The only time Fraser came close to sobbing was on the night of his election defeat in 1983. Before that his public persona was like an ‘Easter Island statue with razor blades stuck up its arse’ to use Max Gillie’s great phrase.

    • Graham The Great says:

      05:59pm | 27/05/10

      Egg on ya face now Leo!  You are certainly not up to speed about the ‘world’.  You owe Julie Bishop an apology…she got it right!

      Reply
 
Comment

Facebook Recommendations

Read all about it

Punch live

Up to the minute Twitter chatter

Paul Colgan

Colgo 25 May 12 10:37PM

Greece makes the final and Ireland gets in on a golden ticket. How awkward and embarrassing. Love it. #sbseurovision

Anthony Sharwood

antsharwood 25 May 12 10:00PM

Every single #eurovision band is roxette #sbseurovision

Anthony Sharwood

antsharwood 25 May 12 09:58PM

The weird thing about #eurovision is you've got this massive collection of dorks in a room and no one is wearing Spock ears #sbseurovision

Anthony Sharwood

antsharwood 25 May 12 09:52PM

Europe has the large hadron collider which is light years ahead of its time and #eurovision, where the eighties never die

See all tweets

Recent posts

The latest and greatest

Eurovision can’t drown out the human rights abuses

by Claire Mallinson

14

Eurovision can’t drown out the human rights abuses

Last year, thousands of Azerbaijanis spontaneously took to the streets of Baku shouting and chanting.…

Revenge. It doesn’t get a whole lot better than this

by The Punch Team

50

Revenge. It doesn’t get a whole lot better than this

Last month, Katy McCaffrey boarded the Disney Wonder cruiseliner. At some point during the trip, a sneaky…

Friday dilemma: can school bullies grow out of it?

by Tory Maguire

121

Friday dilemma: can school bullies grow out of it?

ClubsNSW is set to introduce a fresh new effort to combat schoolyard intimidation, insisting on a principal’s…

Nosebleed Section

choice ringside rantings

From: They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments

Michael S says:

"A teacher at Geelong Grammar had criticised her for using words that were too long, which had left her confused and had made her doubt her ability to write essays. She became ''quite distressed'' when her English marks began to fall." I can sympathise. My scholastic mentors conveyed to me a causal relationship… [read more]

From: Welfare for breeders is a bonus for everyone

Change Up! says:

I have no problem paying my taxes. As a single, childless person on a very decent income, I can afford it and not have my life severely altered. Plus I understand that my taxes paying for things like schools, childcare and infrastructure is ultimately a good thing. A better community is better for me… [read more]

Light weight

Gentle jabs to the ribs

They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments

They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments

A private school girl’s family is sueing her elite, extremely expensive private school for not… Read more

243 comments

Newsletter

Read all about it

Sign up to the free daily Punch newsletter

Subscribe to The Punch RSS feed