First the Opposition said that it was irresponsible for him to leave on such a long trip while the Government was drawing up the budget. Then Nelson decided that it wasn’t long enough, that he should include Japan to his list of destinations. I’m sure if Rudd had stayed in Australia while the budget was being drawn up, Nelson would have accused the PM of micromanaging the economy and his cabinet were puppets on his strings.
If China was not on the list of his trip, the journey would have been seen as atypical. Visiting the US, UK, EU and NATO. It was a smart move to rehash the context of the trip around the economy, automatically nullifying the trip as extravagant in a time of ‘economic conservatism.’
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Back to China
The PM has to be careful with China and Japan. Their history and relationship can easily get you accused of picking sides, with both being important politically and economically for Australia’s future we definitely don’t want either.
Let’s look at the big picture. Rudd is the Mandarin speaking Prime Minister and the trip looks like favouritism but the Government has been taking a publicly negative attitude to China’s human rights record and I’m sure behind the scenes there has been some very busy diplomats relaying Australia’s concerns. The Government also restricted foreign investment laws to restrict Beijing from getting a stake in Australia’s mineral exports.
Just about half the cabinet has gone to visit Japan since the November election: Trade Minister Simon Crean, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, Industry Minister Kim Carr, Resources Minister Martin Ferguson and Agriculture Minister Tony Burke have all made the trip. Meanwhile, Rudd is pushing for Japan to gain permanent status in the UN Security Council and will visit Japan during June and then again a month later at the G8 summit.
Deuce.
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Internet
You might have noticed that I have been pretty happy with the Rudd Government of late. They have genuinely been true to their word. Little Kev promised to:
• Sign the Kyoto Protocol.
• Say sorry.
• Rip up work choices.
• Lower taxes.
• The buck definitely stopped at the latest COAG summit.
• Remove troops from Iraq (seems to be on track).
• Refocus on Afghanistan (definitely trying).
He has even got Stephen Conroy shaking up the Digital TV market.
However, there is one area where the Government has been noticeably quiet. Getting quality broadband internet for the country.
Our internet is sub-par, it’s a joke compared to Europe and North-America.
You can understand that YOC has a vested interest in high-quality broadband internet because the quality of broadband limits the quality of our product and increases the expense.
So come on Kev, kick some ministerial butt and get the party going.
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For once I agree with Nelson
I don’t think the time is right to push for a republic. We had a fragmented crack at the issue a decade ago and that was probably the perfect time. No wars, a less volatile international market, very few people had heard of global warming and Malcolm Turnbull hadn’t joined the Liberal party.
But I am suspicious of Brendan Nelson’s motives. While Rudd takes the country in a new direction, he is right to think a republic is a bridge too far. I suspect that Brendan is only talking about a republic to satisfy a monarchist power base in his own party. As it is he is abysmally low in the polls.
Republican presidential candidate, John McCain suggested that the American Congress’s 19 per cent approval rating had a very small support base.
“19%, well that’s only paid staffers and blood relatives.”
So where does that leave dear old Brendan?
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The A-League bid is very much on track for 09/10
Interesting comments, perhaps you would like to talk to our General Manager, Stuart Barnes or myself about the venue
Cheers
Milton OBrien
Events & Marketing Manager
WIN Sports & Entertainment Centres | 
