from our ABC …..

Mr Downer said that he's told the Bush administration there must be no defeat in Iraq, that the United States must ensure, on behalf of the Iraqi people, that there's victory, and also that there must be stability in the region. He says it may be that the Coalition has to make some policy changes here and there.

from the ether …..

Downer inciting violence, says Fiji coup leader 

Fijian military leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama has criticised Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister, saying Alexander Downer is inciting the people of Fiji to violence.

PRIME MINISTER:

Well certainly things in Iraq are going very badly.

MITCHELL:

Is it sliding towards chaos?

PRIME MINISTER:

I think things are going very badly. 

‘As Tony Blair flies out to meet George Bush, the latest admission of failure in Iraq has made the two leaders appear even more isolated.’

Iraq: One By One, They Tell The Truth

from somewhere in the ether …..

Greens criticise Navy engagement rules for illegal fishers

The Greens have raised concerns for the safety of illegal fishermen operating in Australian waters following a Federal Government move to allow the Navy to fire on illegal boats.

an opinion piece in the Sydney morning herald by federal Health Minister & purveyor of smelly fish, Tony Abbott …..

‘Australians are fair-minded people and for a few months will give Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard a chance to prove themselves. Whether they will ultimately warm to this odd couple flung together by ambition and the main chance is open to doubt.

from our ABC ….

AWB plan 'not a permanent solution'

The US wheat industry has rejected AWB's plan to split the company into two separate businesses.

US Wheat Associates claims the AWB split into a grower-owned operator controlling exports and a commercial agribusiness firm does not get rid of the single desk monopoly targeted by the US.