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If there were any lingering doubts that Australia actually followed its oft-repeated mantra of being a country that adheres to fundamental principles of law, they were surely dispelled this past week.  The Foreign Minister Marise Payne released a statement on the attempted coup d’état in Venezuela.  The statement said, in part:

“Australia recognises and supports the President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaido, in assuming the position of interim President, in accordance with the Venezuelan constitution and until elections are held.”  The statement went on to urge “all parties to work constructively toward a peaceful resolution of the situation, including” (suspension of irony here) “respect for the rule of law.”

It is clear that Ms Payne neither understands, nor respects, what she is pleased to call, the Venezuelan constitution and the rule of law.  Whether or not she sought the advice of her department before making this extraordinarily ignorant statement is unknown.  A Freedom of Information request on that point remains unanswered at the time of writing.

More Ill-Informed Blundering by Australia in Foreign Policy