Transcripts
ABC Radio with Alex Kirk
Monday, 30 March 2009
Topic: Defence Minister, sponsored travel, polls
Alex Kirk Taxpayer funding for Opposition travel.
JULIE BISHOP I recall Mr Rudd raised this issue last year when he was under pressure over extensive sponsored travel that he undertook to China when in Opposition. We’ve heard nothing since and I have no details of it. It has been raised again as Mr Fitzgibbon is under pressure to explain why he withheld disclosure of two trips to China sponsored by a Chinese business woman. The Defence Minister has apologised but he knows full well the seriousness of his failure to disclose these trips.
Sky News, PM Agenda with David Speers
Monday, 23 March 2009
Topics: G20, Rio Tinto, Afghanistan, Queensland elections.
DAVID SPEERS Julie Bishop, thank you for joining us. The Opposition has often criticised Kevin Rudd for his overseas trips. Is this trip justified and why?
JULIE BISHOP It is important for the Prime Minister to meet with President Obama, it is also important for Australia to be represented at the G20 meetings. We chaired a G20 meeting in Melbourne in 2006. It was a very important meeting, so of course Australia should be represented in London in a week’s time.
ABC radio news interview
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Topic: Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade funding cuts
JOURNALIST Opposition reaction to Low Institute report into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade?
JULIE BISHOP This report highlights the importance of having strong representation overseas to promote Australia’s national interest. Our representatives overseas must maintain a clear focus on core issues for Australia in trade and security and consular services, but Kevin Rudd is using our overseas posts for self promotion requiring them to hawk his highly political manifesto around the world. Our overseas posts should not be used to promote Kevin Rudd personally but should be used to promote Australia’s national interest.
Radio 2GB with Jason Morrison
Monday, 09 March 2009
Topic: Kevin Rudd, Governor-General, Durban II Conference
JASON MORRISON {inaudible} have you ever used a swear word in public?
JULIE BISHOP I don’t recall. In the case of Mr Rudd I would be very surprised if he didn’t mean to make such a slip. He is one of the most calculating people I have ever met and everything he does is calculated to create an effect. So I fall on the side of those who think he had some focus group testing telling him he had to be “one of the boys” and hence we saw that performance. So that is where I stand on that issue.
Radio 4BC with Mike Smith
Monday, 09 March 2009
Topic: Durban II Conference
MIKE SMITH {inaudible} … regarding Opposition concerns about the Governor General’s visit to Africa?
JULIE BISHOP The Governor-General as representative of the Head of State can represent Australia overseas and can play a role in promoting Australian interests and there are many precedents for that. However the mission the Governor-General is undertaking for the Rudd Government to lobby other countries for Australia to get one of the temporary seats on the Security Council would normally be done by a Government Minister and the Australian Government’s campaign to win votes is becoming highly politically contentious, not just in Australia but also overseas. And the Opposition is increasingly concerned at the strategy Mr Rudd is adopting to win the seat. It should not be at any cost, either financially or by compromising our principles. And there is a pattern of conduct emerging that feeds a very real perception that Mr Rudd is already horse-trading to curry favour with those United Nations member states he needs to get sufficient numbers for the seat. And our concern is that the office of the Governor-General should not be caught up in what is a highly contentious international issue.
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