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Helium · 05-05-2008, 01:20 AM

As an Australian I have knowticed Rudd's close association with China ( my perceived view) and was curious to watch how Rudd handled the question of whether to attend the opening ceremony when European and US leaders gave either a no or wont say as yet and also how he handled the pressure to criticise China on Tibet.

I however take assurance in him passing laws concerning party donations from civilians, where you must declare who gave you the money if it is over $1000 instead of like before at (I think) $10,000. This leaves out opportunites for rich businessmen or anyone who want to influence our elections including people acting on behalf of another country or trying elect a pro-their country leader (not necessarily government sanctioned).

I dont however like that he immediately after his election pulled Australia out of the joint Singapore, India, Japan and US annual defence meeting, which some people and China viewed as a Pacific NATO to contain China, which I believe it is and I think this is a good thing when you have a ideolically different giant emerging and significantly lacking in transperancy especially to do with Defence spending. I believe the majority of Australians would agree with being in this defence treaty and I question why then he would pull out, the action he took didn't benefit Australia (although it didn;t hurt) but seems to have been more benficial to China.

Rudd was democratically elected by Australians and I expect him to act in Australias interests not Chinas nor any others (not that I am implying he has but i am sceptical of him). And i do not believe withdrawing from that defence treaty was in our interest as much as to appease Chinese relations, but as another member said in this thread - China does not like to mix its economic and strategic interests/diplomacy - so our economic ties with China were not threatened by the treaty and I believe diplomatic ties aswell.

A huge majority of Australians support our Alliance and close relationship with the USA and I would hope that if there is any appeasment of the giants that it would only be to the US - ONLY because it is supported by the majority of Australians.

05-05-2008, 01:20 AM	#19 (permalink)
Helium Regular Join Date: 04-02-08 Posts: 67	As an Australian I have knowticed Rudd's close association with China ( my perceived view) and was curious to watch how Rudd handled the question of whether to attend the opening ceremony when European and US leaders gave either a no or wont say as yet and also how he handled the pressure to criticise China on Tibet. I however take assurance in him passing laws concerning party donations from civilians, where you must declare who gave you the money if it is over $1000 instead of like before at (I think) $10,000. This leaves out opportunites for rich businessmen or anyone who want to influence our elections including people acting on behalf of another country or trying elect a pro-their country leader (not necessarily government sanctioned). I dont however like that he immediately after his election pulled Australia out of the joint Singapore, India, Japan and US annual defence meeting, which some people and China viewed as a Pacific NATO to contain China, which I believe it is and I think this is a good thing when you have a ideolically different giant emerging and significantly lacking in transperancy especially to do with Defence spending. I believe the majority of Australians would agree with being in this defence treaty and I question why then he would pull out, the action he took didn't benefit Australia (although it didn;t hurt) but seems to have been more benficial to China. Rudd was democratically elected by Australians and I expect him to act in Australias interests not Chinas nor any others (not that I am implying he has but i am sceptical of him). And i do not believe withdrawing from that defence treaty was in our interest as much as to appease Chinese relations, but as another member said in this thread - China does not like to mix its economic and strategic interests/diplomacy - so our economic ties with China were not threatened by the treaty and I believe diplomatic ties aswell. A huge majority of Australians support our Alliance and close relationship with the USA and I would hope that if there is any appeasment of the giants that it would only be to the US - ONLY because it is supported by the majority of Australians.