Lets take a look at why overseas diplomacy is important:

http://abc.net.au/news/2023-05-21/labor-government-first-year-in-review/102374198

Katharine Murphy, political editor for The Guardian
writes:

" Politics can feel like the preserve of demagogues,
vaudevillians, and enclavists intent on prospering
politically by vilifying opposing tribes."

And we've seen plenty of that. But, having traced
the Prime Minster's career both in the past and present
she says that the PM wants to enlarge Australia's idea
of itself.

She says that the tempo might be measured, but he
wants this enough to put his prime ministership on
the line to achieve it.

According to Murphy, the Prime Minister's desire to
establish a First Nations Voice to Parliament was
one proof point of the PM's bet on our better
angels.

Murphy says that the PM is someone we haven't seen
in politics for a while. A PM prepared to have a
fight for a measure of decency and justice -
especially a fight that he wasn't sure he'd win.

Of course, there are still many challenges ahead for
him, but with his ability to negotiate, and listen
to advice - we can be sure that we are in good hands.
At least according to political editors and
journalists who cover the political arena.

I wish I could send an email I received today to OLO for all posters to see. It is titled 'I love to see famous people pose in front of statues of themselves'.

Photographs of Sylvester Stallone in front of a statue of himself; ditto Arnold Schwarzenegger, and a third of a sportsman I don't recognise.

The fourth photo is one of Albanese, grinning alongside a sculpture of a huge naked arse, facing forward, arms wrapped around it, with the head not visible, but obviously between the legs, and stuck up the arse. A good start to the weekend. There's always a funny side to even the worst situations and people.

Some wish that they could clearly see
The famous doing what comes naturally
Some bods prefer bums on display
Though many find bums not OK

But we can all admit and cheer
Our PM's China visit made so clear
A "handsome boy" - he was so called
And all of China was enthralled.

http://news.com.au/technology/online/social/handsome-boy-albo-video-goes-viral-in-china/news-story/c5abc4c46981c0ae8b4aa158a217fa17

Dear Banjo Paterson,

You write: "I don’t know about Xi but judging by Albo’s paltry result on the Voice “truth-telling” referendum, I doubt that he is capable of lying convincingly either. To be good at one, According to Clancy, you must be good at the other – which doesn’t seem to be the case with Albo."

I thought Albo's failure on the referendum was that he was painfully if not frustratingly truthful. I didn't get any sense he was trying to lie, unconvincingly or otherwise. For instance he could have been far more descriptive of what the Voice would look like in action but instead chose to honour the process to let parliament decide its makeup.

Dear Steele,

I agree. We have a Prime Minister currently - who is
rare in politics. An honest politician. Who should
be appreciated for keeping his promises.