The suggestion by Kevin Rudd that 'turning back the boats' without the consent of Indonesia could lead to some form of conflict was branded as 'shocking and reckless' by Julie Bishop.
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While Julie Bishop has thankfully taken a break from her string of embarrassing international gaffes, now may be a time for journalists to ask the foreign minister about her pre-election comments. Though I'm sure Julie doesn't see any problems with the government's current performance... they are afterall doing their best
It might be his best, but Morrison is almost daily floundering as he fesses up to yet another gaffe or another outrage. It is clear that no one believes Scott "Captain Feathersword' Morrison's lame excuses about dodgy GPS and rough seas. The intended audience, the Indonesians, are clearly unconvinced and are deeply concerned about our Navy entering their sovereign territory without permission. They are now monitoring the activities of our Navy, a former Indonesian general and current member of Indonesia's foreign affairs commission says consider Morrison's claims of accidental border breaches are 'impossible' and Indonesian police have launched an investigation into claims that asylum seekers were burned during a turnback by the Australian Navy. This is also being investigated by Human Rights watch.
Added to that, Nauru is going through a judicial crisis, which will potentially impact on refugees. If it does, there will be repercussions for Australia. Refugees seeking asylum were intercepted by Australia (making them our responsibility), and sent to Nauru for processing. Nauru's instability now becomes our problem,and further damages our international reputation.
These are precarious times. More mis-steps by buffoons like Bishop and Morrison could lead us into armed conflict. But the damage to our relationship has already been done, and will likely need to be cleaned up by a future, competent government. The current one is making things worse almost daily.
As Michelle Grattan, political correspondant with The Conversation, has said:
"The regime under minister Scott Morrison never fails to produce new shocks"
Having returned from his European skiing vacation, and having quickly done the rounds of shock-jocks and lame breakfast television, he has now jetted off to Davos to represent Australia on the international stage.
Pre-election boosters said Abbott had a brilliant mind, and was capable of changing into an international statesman. Davos was a big test, which he failed abysmally.
One of the dumbest things Abbott said during the election campaign was his 'baddies Vs baddies' comment. Instead of learning from this, Abbott has just repeated the same line to international journalists.
Brilliant!
I don't think Peta Credlin can claim any credit for this incredible media strategy.. It's all Tony.