Paul,

You might be interested in this:

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/18/refugees-and-human-rights-abuses-we-cant-pretend-that-we-do-not-know

"Arendt provides a useful framework to think about Tony Abbott’s extraordinary statement in Sri Lanka: his comment that, though his government "deplores the use of torture we accept that sometimes in difficult circumstances difficult things happen".

On one level, the Abbott "torture happens" line might be understood as old-fashioned realpolitik. Because Australia wants to repatriate Sri Lankan asylum seekers, Abbott needs to paint the authoritarian regime there as evolving to democracy (despite Amnesty International’s assessment that "the government is slowly but surely dismantling institutions, including the judiciary, that protect human rights".) Because Abbott seeks co-operation against people smugglers, he’s willing to provide warships to one of the most bloodsoaked militaries in the world."

Paul 1405 spoke of embarasment stopping after Howard? What about Juliar Oi am the Proime Minister Gillard and the absolute end KRudd? Gee mate you must be on a different planet.

Dear Poirot,

Thanks for the link.

The more I read about Mr Abbott's actions the more
depressed I get.

Thanks Poirot, very good link. I am old enough to have had a father who was a grown man in the 1930's and he told me there was a lot of admiration for Hitler in Australia, The New Guard (Australian Fascists) were well supported by the conservatives in society. 'Pig Iron' Bob Menzies the founder of the Liberal Party spent 2 weeks in Nazi Germany in 1938
Menzies wrote home, “Nevertheless, it must be said that this modern abandonment by the Germans of individual liberty and of the easy and pleasant things of life has something rather magnificent about it." Menzies was an ardent admirer of totalitarian regimes in both Germany and Japan in the 1930's. Howard named Menzies as the one he most admired, and we know Abbott is an admirer of Howard.

Mrs Howard (JBowyer) glad you could pop in, between garden parties, and leave a comment. Nice to hear from you.

Foxy, do not be depressed by what one can expect from Abbott.

Paul 1405 - I say again, Tony Abbott won the election. Tony Abbott is now Prime Minister. Dry your eyes Princess and suck it up ha ha ha!

P & P,

"That, my dear, describes the Abbott govt to a tee."

Yup, and Electricity Bill is a serial rapist, Albo a pedophile, Juliar a common thief, and Milne a porn star.

Instead of posting lies about Abbott, and giggling like school girls, perhaps you could address why the Labor Greens alliance (the Green Tea party) is copying the Tea party play book.

At least Abbott is meeting his principle promises and stopping the flow of economic refugees. While Labor was so fond of trashing foreign relationships by indulging in stupid megaphone diplomacy to appeal to the domestic audience, Abbott has adopted the rational approach of constructive engagement.

If anyone knows where megaphone diplomacy has ever worked, I would be grateful if they could give an example.

At least now we have got rid of the back stabbing comedy duo of Juliar and Dudd, perhaps the rest of the world will take us seriously. Indonesia certainly has, and so too will Sri Lanka.