Dear Bazz,

Talking about "diplomacy?"

Here's something that's not made up and this article
also appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald:

http://www.theage.com.au/comment/dont-quote-me-says-tony-but-maaate-8230-20130816-2s1zy.html

Foxy,
Thanks for posting this link. It's a welcome proof that Tony is a bloke unlike the asexuals in the ALP.

Foxy,

Here's Clarke and Dawe on the present state of things in OZ.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-21/clark-and-dawe-ministerial-responsibility-coming/5108010

: )

When was Bill Shorten declared Australia's leader?
Poirot,
He is presently the leader of the party whose Government did the spying, correct ? So let that silly mutt blabber out an apology to the President of Indonesia, to the people of Australia & to our present Prime Minister.
I fail to see why Abbott should have to apologise after taking over a broke system as well.

Dear Poirot,

Thanks for the link.

Great as always.

individual,

"I fail to see why Abbott should have to apologise after taking over a broke system as well."

Well Mr Abbott appears to be thrilled to claim credit for slowing the boats - even though it was Labor's Manus operation that did it. If he's keen to take on that mantle, I see no reason for him (or you) to complain about anything else that was in place before the LNP took office.

Bottom line is that Abbott is the Prime Minister.

Certain responsibilities come with that role - and one of them is lumping situations which you may inherit from your predecessors and those who preceded them.

What you don't do is deliberately maintain a recalcitrant position - which "you know" will inflame the situation and/or offend your neighbour and major trading partner.

What Mr Abbott and his masters have achieved is to shred our relationship with Indonesia. They have done it willfully, employing weasel words and sentiments to add insult to injury.

They are rank amateurs at diplomacy - but professionals at screwing things up.