We were told that it was important for Australia to be a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council because we ‘punched above our weight’; that we had the right and duty to provide leadership. We were told that being on the Security Council would increase our influence and that other countries would listen more to Australia’s words of wisdom.
So what do we do on our first chance to exercise influence following the vote for the Security Council seat?
Australia is to abstain from the UN resolution to give let Palestine join the United Nations as an observer.
Talk about weak – the first chance to express an opinion, and Australia stays silent. Afraid of offending the Palestine lobby, Australia lurks in the corner.
Talk about hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.
We were warned that securing a position on the Security Council would compromise our values, in particular Australia’s traditional and strong support for the only democracy in the Middle East – Israel. The abstention is the evidence.
The Prime Minister apparently had wanted Australia to vote against the resolution, but was rolled by Caucus.
So at the apogee of our international influence (so the proponents of the UN SC seat argued), we have a weak and indecisive prime minister. And a weak and corrupt government.
Now ask yourselves, do you think that the millions of dollars spent on the UN Security Council bid was worthwhile? Should we quit before we embarrass ourselves even more?
Take what it cost out of Pollies Super,Perks ,Salaries ,bank accounts and sell their houses ,if that doesnt pay what they owe ,take it out of their Centrelink Payments! Who would Employ them?
Borisgodunov
28 Nov 12 at 6:36 pm
The allegations in the Australian that it was at least partially due to concerns about domestic seats being lost based on ethnic/religious votes.
Thats a pretty serious democratic failing right there.
thefrollickingmole
28 Nov 12 at 6:40 pm
Abstaining on that vote is as good as voting for the proposition. The civilised world will not be defeated other than from within, and this spectacle submission to atavism.
I hope that evidence sufficient to support charges (and handcuffs) is found. If it is not and this government shuffles along to its eventual demise, making judicial and other appointments on its way, the corruption in this country will go unrevealed and unpunished. Worse, I fear that the Coalition does not have the will, nor will it have the numbers, to clean house through a process of commissions and reforms to legislation to ensure the infection cannot take root again with any ease.
e-girl
28 Nov 12 at 6:41 pm
The less involved we get with the world government (UN) the better. We need to abstain more often.
Agree that the UNSC seat was a waste of money.
Trade has always been the best path to peace between countries, everything else is just politics.
Capitalist
28 Nov 12 at 6:46 pm
Why should we be surprised? Is there anything about this government which speaks of Australia?
The pathetic toadying to the Hamas led Palestinian lobby is worthy of some sleazy Arafat clone, and sleaze is a trait well practised from the top of Labor down.
Gillard has little authority and obviously no control of cabinet; its members now know she is not worthy of respect and can join her in the gutter with untroubled consciences. Too bad if she actually gets one thing right, who gives a toss?
It’s not only the crooked PM, it’s the culture which is cloned from her toxic example.
James of the Glens
28 Nov 12 at 6:46 pm
ALP were concerned of offending their muslim vote in their electorates was a very key reason. This is the modern democracy where the minority call the shots.
GK
28 Nov 12 at 6:53 pm
The backflip by the Labor Party makes it hard for the public to understand the government’s real position and what it means, if a decision can be overturned just like that how can it be meaningful.
candy
28 Nov 12 at 6:57 pm
ALP were concerned of offending their muslim vote in their electorates was a very key reason.
Yes, those Behead the Infidels signs at the protest has made Labor skittish.
Gab
28 Nov 12 at 6:57 pm
Why should Australia vote against the resolution? If a two-state solution is the ultimate goal, then Palestine would eventually join the UN anyway.
Jarrah
28 Nov 12 at 6:59 pm
Yes, it’s a bit hard to be simultaneously outraged by this news and maintain that the UN is a pointless institution, and that Australia being a member of the security council won’t make any difference. Lot of fuss and bother about nothing, I reckon.
TimT
28 Nov 12 at 7:09 pm
Never mind what we reckon. Which way are Rwanda and Luxemberg going to vote?
jupes
28 Nov 12 at 7:21 pm
No. It’s perfectly reasonable.
The vote is symbolic. It was always going to get up for the simple fact the majority of countries on earth are run by fuckwits. It was Australia’s chance to stand up for a civilised democracy fighting for its life. We didn’t.
The UN is worse than pointless. In many ways it is evil. I would rather see Australia lead the world and leave the UN, but while we are there we may as well make as many symbolic statements as we can.
And our being a member of the Security Council will make as much difference as Rwanda and Luxembourg.
jupes
28 Nov 12 at 7:30 pm
Does this mean that if Obama and Hillary go bunta in Iran, Syria, the Sudan or all of the above, we shall have a debate rather than put Aussie boots on the ground tout suite? I hope so.
Big Jim
28 Nov 12 at 7:33 pm
we can’t afford to offend all those radical and criminal states that we brown-nosed in order to get elected
Sisyphus
28 Nov 12 at 7:35 pm
Any New South Welshman will tell you that Bob Carr always wears his uniform backwards.
The media thinks that he’s advancing, but he’s actually charging towards the rear-echelons…..
The Old and Unimproved Dave
28 Nov 12 at 7:50 pm
Why should we vote against a bunch who will join all the committees so they can reduce the rights of women & homosexuals, fight for corruption and endlessly vote for sanctions on Israel?
Don’t forget how they will be lecturing Australia on human rights and demanding more “aid” to fund their oppression of minorities.
Sounds like the perfect global citizens.
Token
28 Nov 12 at 7:55 pm
Bob Carr is the perfect man to send to the UN.
Each government he has lead/been in the leadership team are among the most corrupt and willing to do what it takes to distort the democratic process.
Token
28 Nov 12 at 7:57 pm
isn’t it criminal that once every blue moon Israel doesn’t get its own way. Don’t we know who they think they are?
Paul
28 Nov 12 at 8:58 pm
But not only do we abstain but we do so at the behest of two people who are no longer relevant ie Bob Hawke and “Biggles” Evans.
Gutho
28 Nov 12 at 9:05 pm
There was a good episode of Yes Prime Minister on voting at the UN.
Gillard will be rueing the day Australia got a seat on the council. What a minor issue to provoke a revolt. Timing is everything in politics. This was just so clumsy.
Jim Rose
28 Nov 12 at 9:19 pm
Yes because the UN always backs Israel.
jupes
28 Nov 12 at 9:27 pm
Its not like anyone predicted Australia would be forced into positions like this…
Token
28 Nov 12 at 9:56 pm
Jarrah, the Palis won’t recognise Israel in a two-state solution. Never have, never will, so why bother with the charade?
nilk
28 Nov 12 at 10:28 pm
“Jarrah, the Palis won’t recognise Israel in a two-state solution. Never have, never will”
Why do you think this?
Jarrah
28 Nov 12 at 10:31 pm
To put it another way, how do you know? Genuinely interested.
Jarrah
28 Nov 12 at 10:35 pm
there are already three states: Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Jim Rose
28 Nov 12 at 10:39 pm
“there are already three states: Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.”
Gaza might fulfill a couple of the many criteria of a state, but the West Bank sure as hell does not.
Jarrah
28 Nov 12 at 10:51 pm
see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_General_Assembly_observers
PLO and South West Africa People’s Organization had observer state for many years.
Jim Rose
28 Nov 12 at 10:52 pm
There are many people who think they can immigrate here and then think they have a right to say that Australia should support their dumb pet causes.
Just nuke Palestine already. The savages won’t learn any other way.
James Bauer
28 Nov 12 at 10:55 pm
Observer status is different from observer state status.
Jarrah
28 Nov 12 at 10:57 pm
jarrah,many countries have periods of occupation, disputed territory, and even governments in exile. see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereign_state which gives a link to the 1933 definition under customary international law:
Jim Rose
28 Nov 12 at 10:59 pm
PA will turn to ICC if Arafat murder evidence found
http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=293753
A sign of the times
Viva
28 Nov 12 at 11:00 pm
“(b) a defined territory … (d) a capacity to enter into relations with other states”
Exactly. Neither the West Bank nor Gaza cross those thresholds.
Jarrah
28 Nov 12 at 11:02 pm
The push for observer state status is an attempt to reach (d).
Jarrah
28 Nov 12 at 11:03 pm
Hamas and other interested parties from that neck of the woods have had plenty of opportunities to recognise a two-state solution, and have declined every time.
Do you really believe that Hamas Charter wants peace with Israel? You’re reading the wrong quran.
nilk
28 Nov 12 at 11:16 pm
“Hamas and other interested parties from that neck of the woods have had plenty of opportunities to recognise a two-state solution, and have declined every time.”
That’s false, apart from Hamas. Do you really think Hamas is representative of Palestinian opinion, or even of majority Palestinian opinion? Because if you do, you’re wrong.
“Do you really believe that Hamas Charter wants peace with Israel?”
No. But do try to recognise that there are dozens of Palestinian factions. Also, in cruel irony, Hamas was effectively created by Israel.
Jarrah
28 Nov 12 at 11:23 pm
Sooooo … we spent $40 meg for the right to a donkey vote?
Leigh Lowe
28 Nov 12 at 11:40 pm
Why? Because a lot of Palestinians are going around chanting ‘death to Israel’. That’s why.
Samuel J
28 Nov 12 at 11:43 pm
“Why? Because a lot of Palestinians are going around chanting ‘death to Israel’. That’s why.”
Have you even read the rest of the comments? The ones chanting ‘death to Israel’ aren’t the only factions in play.
Jarrah
28 Nov 12 at 11:48 pm
Sounds like an argument to state the Chinese Communist Party “is not respresentative” of Chinese opinion.
What does the opinion of the individual matter under the rule of a brutal one party state which will not hold democratic elections?
Sounds like the words of someone that is young and naive.
Token
29 Nov 12 at 11:57 am
“Sounds like an argument to state the Chinese Communist Party “is not respresentative” of Chinese opinion.”
That’s silly. China is a unitary, one-party state. Gaza and the West Bank are not.
“Sounds like the words of someone that is young and naive.”
Your words imply that you think the West Bank doesn’t even exist. You have also called Gaza a ‘state’. These goes beyond naivety to downright bizarre.
Jarrah
29 Nov 12 at 12:14 pm
When is the next election to be held again?
Don’t try your semantics on me Jarrah. Hamas has a one party state in the Gaza Strip and Fatah has a one party state in the West Bank.
Link established.
Token
29 Nov 12 at 12:27 pm
Token
29 Nov 12 at 12:30 pm
“Hamas has a one party state in the Gaza Strip and Fatah has a one party state in the West Bank.”
Thanks for proving my point, Token. Two separate jurisdictions with separate governments are quite clearly not a unitary, one-party state. The comparison to China doesn’t make any sense, and that’s before we even examine the validity of the comparison.
At least you’ve apparently recovered from your amnesia about the West Bank.
Jarrah
29 Nov 12 at 12:47 pm
The Untidy Nayshuns is just another branch of Leftist control,Internationale commos ,to add to the Local Council commos,the State Guvmint commos ,the Federal guvmint commos ,the Law Trade commos(courts) ,and the Meeja commos .All Bullshitting away and squandering other Peoples Money.Not One of them could get a Proper job of Work .Total Bludgers ,should all be in Gulags working for their Tucker,be a pretty Skinny Mob Eh?
Borisgodunov
29 Nov 12 at 3:06 pm
Jarrah:
Correct.
Bollocks. Arafat refused to countenance the idea at Dayton, Camp David etc. There is not one pallie terrorist group which has ever agreed that Israel has a right to exist – and THAT is the basis of a two-state deal, insn’t it?
So what if he is?
As the left keeps pointing out, Hamas was elected. Besides, they have the guns and if you oppose them this happens to you. Do you really think those barbarians did that for shits and giggles or top pass a message to anyone who might oppose Hamas?
Good.
So what? They have more terrorists, more money (thanks EU!), more guns, and extraordinary ruthlessness. Who cares what the others think?
Horseshit. Also, a major surprise to their parent organisation, the Muslim Brotherhood.
Mk50 of Brisbane
29 Nov 12 at 5:22 pm
Sigh, Jarrah really is both dishonest and not that bright.
Why do you give recognition to a one party totalitarian state in a civil war over another?
You would’ve thought that the UN learned with the Republic of China / People’s Republic of China.
Token
30 Nov 12 at 10:56 am
“Arafat refused to countenance the idea at Dayton, Camp David etc.”
Excuse me? The Palestinians offered their preferred two-state solution at Camp David, just as the Israelis did. No-one ‘declined’ the two-state solution.
“There is not one pallie terrorist group which has ever agreed that Israel has a right to exist”
Possibly not, but Palestinian leaders aren’t all members of terrorist groups, are they?
“So what if he is?”
Then his argument’s foundation collapses.
Jarrah
30 Nov 12 at 11:18 am
“Sigh, Jarrah really is both dishonest and not that bright.”
LOL. After talking yourself into a corner, you have no option but to insult your betters.
Jarrah
30 Nov 12 at 11:20 am