MT3/96
Media Release
8 January 1996
Downer Should Quit
"...As the release of classified material from 1965 in recent
days has proven, the Liberal Party since its foundation has been pre-occupied
with Asia."
- Alexander Downer, speech to Young Liberals, 8/1/96
In his speech to the Young Liberals Convention in Canberra today, the Opposition
Foreign Affairs spokesman, Alexander Downer, again demonstrated his total
lack of judgement and perspective, the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Senator Bob McMullan, said today.
Senator McMullan said that, contrary to Mr Downer's claims, the recently
released Cabinet documents from 1965 prove only that the Liberal Party's
historical pre-occupation with Asia has been based on fear and prejudice,
to the point that the Menzies Government thoroughly and fundamentally lied
to the people of Australia about Australia's involvement in Vietnam.
"In this context, it is ludicrous to claim it was the greatness of
Liberal Party foreign policy - 'a policy of enlightened realism' (sic) -
which 'achieved so much in Asia'," Senator McMullan said.
"Does 'enlightened realism' capture the tragedy of Vietnam, with over
500 Australian dead and the loss of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese
lives?
"Lacking any policy substance of his own, Mr Downer's strategy is to
lambast and downplay any initiative by Australia.
"Last week, Mr Downer sought to deprecate Australia's role in the formation
of APEC.
"Today, he's attacked the Canberra Commission as a 'stunt' and described
Australia's appearance before the International Court of Justice to argue
the case against nuclear weapons as mere 'grandstanding'.
"Mr Downer's persistent denigration of constructive Australian initiatives
stands at complete odds with his ambitions to represent Australia as a 'pivotal'
power.
"It is a pity for Mr Downer that these initiatives have been welcomed
and applauded by the international community and by the Australian public.
"It also shows him to be totally out of tune with the hopes and aspirations
of ordinary Australians for a peaceful world.
"And what of his understanding of current geo-political realities?
"Mr Downer opines that 'it was through our close ties with the US,
the UK and France that we were able to exercise more influence over the
destiny of South East Asia between thirty and forty years ago than we do
today'!
"Mr Downer needs to be told that the era of colonialism and gunboat
diplomacy is long dead.
"Mr Downer also fails to understand that the credibility Australia
currently enjoys in the international sphere is the outcome of years of
patient and constructive diplomacy by the Labor Government.
"It is a standing and reputation built on the very sorts of initiatives
that Mr Downer attacks - on regional security and trade liberalisation,
on peace and disarmament, on reform of the United Nations.
"Mr Downer should stand down as Foreign Affairs shadow minister.
"He's become not merely an embarrassment to the Opposition, but to
Australia," Senator McMullan said.
Further information: John Flannery, (06) 277 7420
Bob McMullan Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs
Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2600 Tel: (06) 277 7420 Fax: (06) 273 4128