Publish to Newswire
Add an EventFrom the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Australian opposition leader Beazley urges US to avoid Iraq civil war
Federal Labor leader Kim Beazley has again called on the United States not to get involved in a civil war in Iraq.
The new Opposition Leader is in Sydney, meeting New South Wales Premier Bob Carr and visiting local members.
Mr Beazley has told ABC Radio National too much focus was put on the issue of pulling the troops out of Iraq before the last election, with Labor unable to shift focus to the bigger issues.
"Kevin Rudd tried - he tried to get all of those issues up but now we've got them up and what is the issue now," he said.
"The issue now is, is the United States going to find itself drawn inexorably into an insurgency in the Sunni areas or is he going to pull back? We say pull back."
The new Opposition Leader is in Sydney, meeting New South Wales Premier Bob Carr and visiting local members.
Mr Beazley has told ABC Radio National too much focus was put on the issue of pulling the troops out of Iraq before the last election, with Labor unable to shift focus to the bigger issues.
"Kevin Rudd tried - he tried to get all of those issues up but now we've got them up and what is the issue now," he said.
"The issue now is, is the United States going to find itself drawn inexorably into an insurgency in the Sunni areas or is he going to pull back? We say pull back."
By-election
Mr Beazley is campaigning in the south-western seat of Werriwa, ahead of the by-election to fill the vacancy created when former leader Mark Latham resigned.
The seat is considered safe, with Labor holding it by a margin of 9 per cent.
Local labor figures are calling for the seat to be filled by someone who will concentrate on representing the local community, rather than seeking higher office.
Mr Beazley refuses to say who he thinks should stand as the local candidate.
"That is for the people out there to select," he said.
"I tell you what I'm anxious to get - I'm anxious to get a candidate out there who the people can say, 'this is the sort of fellow or lady who lives next door to us, who lives and breathes the problems that we confront, and will take to Canberra that perspective' because Canberra needs it."
Re-election
Mr Carr says Mr Beazley's elevation to the federal Labor leadership will unite the party.
After his election yesterday Mr Beazley told his colleagues Labor needs to re-establish its political credibility and he urged them to stop bickering.
Mr Carr says that will happen naturally under Mr Beazley's leadership.
"We welcome Kim's return to the leadership - there will be a natural assertion of unity," he said.
"People will get together behind the new leader - in a period where John Howard has had easy dominance [that] can end at any moment ... [so] the Labor Party's got to be viable."
Policy focus
Meanwhile, Greens leader Senator Bob Brown says he believes Mr Beazley is well placed to become Australia's next Prime Minister.
Senator Brown says Mr Beazley should focus on environmental issues, health, education and the economy.
"I think Kim Beazley's got a really good connection with the Australian electorate now and if he fires on the environment and the economy, health and education over the next three years," Senator Brown said.
"There is a very big chance Australians will fire [Prime Minister] John Howard at the next election."
Senator Brown says Mr Beazley needs to distinguish himself from Mr Howard.
"Kim Beazley needs to take a lead on the environment and not be held back by the view in sections of the Labor Party that they really want to be shoulder-to-shoulder with John Howard," he said.
"It's making a difference and it's setting a gap from John Howard and on issues like the environment - Kim Beazley can easily do that."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200501/s1291683.htm
Mr Beazley is campaigning in the south-western seat of Werriwa, ahead of the by-election to fill the vacancy created when former leader Mark Latham resigned.
The seat is considered safe, with Labor holding it by a margin of 9 per cent.
Local labor figures are calling for the seat to be filled by someone who will concentrate on representing the local community, rather than seeking higher office.
Mr Beazley refuses to say who he thinks should stand as the local candidate.
"That is for the people out there to select," he said.
"I tell you what I'm anxious to get - I'm anxious to get a candidate out there who the people can say, 'this is the sort of fellow or lady who lives next door to us, who lives and breathes the problems that we confront, and will take to Canberra that perspective' because Canberra needs it."
Re-election
Mr Carr says Mr Beazley's elevation to the federal Labor leadership will unite the party.
After his election yesterday Mr Beazley told his colleagues Labor needs to re-establish its political credibility and he urged them to stop bickering.
Mr Carr says that will happen naturally under Mr Beazley's leadership.
"We welcome Kim's return to the leadership - there will be a natural assertion of unity," he said.
"People will get together behind the new leader - in a period where John Howard has had easy dominance [that] can end at any moment ... [so] the Labor Party's got to be viable."
Policy focus
Meanwhile, Greens leader Senator Bob Brown says he believes Mr Beazley is well placed to become Australia's next Prime Minister.
Senator Brown says Mr Beazley should focus on environmental issues, health, education and the economy.
"I think Kim Beazley's got a really good connection with the Australian electorate now and if he fires on the environment and the economy, health and education over the next three years," Senator Brown said.
"There is a very big chance Australians will fire [Prime Minister] John Howard at the next election."
Senator Brown says Mr Beazley needs to distinguish himself from Mr Howard.
"Kim Beazley needs to take a lead on the environment and not be held back by the view in sections of the Labor Party that they really want to be shoulder-to-shoulder with John Howard," he said.
"It's making a difference and it's setting a gap from John Howard and on issues like the environment - Kim Beazley can easily do that."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200501/s1291683.htm
Add Your Comments
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Donate
$120.00 donated
in the past month
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network