Australia

Former Australia Prime Minister Loses Seat

May 18, 2019 · 7:50 am ET · Leave a Comment

“Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott appears to have been soundly defeated in his formerly ultra-safe seat on Sydney’s wealthy north shore in Saturday’s election, ending a 25-year parliamentary career,” Bloomberg reports.

“Abbott has been criticized over the years for his arch-conservative views that have seen him doubt climate change, oppose same-sex marriage and reinstate Australia’s archaic honors system of appointing knights and dames. After being removed as Liberal leader by his own lawmakers, he remained in parliament on the backbench and often criticized the policy positions of his moderate successor, Malcolm Turnbull.”

The BBC reports a surprise surge for the ruling coalition.

The Guardian has a live blog of results as they come in.

An Inside Look at Trump Diplomacy

August 3, 2017 · 1:08 pm ET · Leave a Comment

Jonathan Chait: “The transcript of Donald Trump’s discussion with Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull obtained by the Washington Post reveals many things, but the most significant may be that Trump in his private negotiations is every bit as mentally limited as he appears to be in public.”

“At issue in the conversation is a deal to settle 1,250 refugees who have been detained by Australia in the United States. I did not pay any attention to the details of this agreement before reading the transcript. By the time I was halfway through it, my brain could not stop screaming at Trump for his failure to understand what Turnbull was telling him.”

Australian Leader Mocks Trump

June 15, 2017 · 8:33 am ET · Leave a Comment

A leaked recording emerged of Australia prime minister Malcolm Turnbull mocking President Trump, “the latest awkward episode between two allied leaders whose relationship had gotten off to a rocky start,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

Said Turnbull: “It was beautiful. It was the most beautiful putting-me-at-ease ever. The Donald and I, we are winning and winning in the polls. We are winning so much. We are winning like we have never won before.”

Inside a Train Wreck Call with Australia’s Leader

February 1, 2017 · 9:38 pm ET · Leave a Comment

“It should have been one of the most congenial calls for the new commander in chief — a conversation with the leader of Australia, one of America’s staunchest allies, at the end of a triumphant week,” the Washington Post reports.

“Instead, President Trump blasted Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over a refugee agreement and boasted about the magnitude of his electoral college win, according to senior U.S. officials briefed on the Saturday exchange. Then, 25 minutes into what was expected to be an hour-long call, Trump abruptly ended it.”

“At one point Trump informed Turnbull that he had spoken with four other world leaders that day — including Russian President Vladimir Putin — and that ‘This was the worst call by far.'”

October Surprise!