Comments on: Robb burns Rudd over Japanese diplomacy

By: John

John — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

I have to echo Marylin’s words-grow up !. This is another ‘non-story” created by the media just like the great crarer’s grant scare. In this case it seems even the Japanese media are as a big a dills as the Aussies as the Japanese PM has indicated he isn’t insulted and looks forward to meeting Rudd later this year. Do you guys have to jump every time you are told to ?.

By: Sue H

Sue H — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

You mean beating up a story about a meeting with a shaky Government in Japan makes Robb a star performer. Give us a break, Bernard!! Shouldn’t it have been more polite for the Japanese PM to ring our new one to congratulate him and arrange a meeting. I understand the Japanese are still having trouble working out just who will be in Govt. should a meeting be arranged.
Most of us see the Opposition and Robb for what they are but unfortunately most of the MSM, and particularly the ‘political journalists’ , are yet to realise that the voters see things very differently to you lot.

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Bernard, what you “understand” is without basis and fact. It was Japan who refused to meet Rudd, not the other way around.

How many times do they have to say it? They have said since day one that they don’t care and answer this - Did Japan ring Rudd? NO they didn’t.

Are Canada and Mexico whining, what about Germany and France, Russia and Italy.

What you children need to do is grow up.

By: lewis dowell

lewis dowell — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Rudd had organised to meet with the Japanese PM well before this whole debacle began. The Meeting was organised last year in early December. It was only til the media boiled Rudd about it that it forced them to bring the meeting to the surface. Rudd has also organised meetings with several other leaders across Asia including indonesia, maylasia and taiwan, and is planning another tour later in the year to meet political leaders in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Japan is Australia’s single biggest trade partner and we make a whopping surplus; in 2007 merchandise exports to Japan were worth almost as much as the combined merchandise exports to North America and Europe. Yes China is catching up but for the last couple of decades our number 1 customer has been Japan. Some of the demand for Australian goods and services consumed in China is driven by Japanese investment in China.

On that basis Japan is an important country for Australia and one that we should not forget. To liken our relationship with Japan to our relationship with Canada or Mexico is to denigrate the relationship. Yes Japan needs Australian exports but we also need Japanese custom and should devote a tiny, little bit of effort.

It is easy to make cheap jokes about the transience of Japanese politicians but the system in Japan is relatively stable and whether it is Koizumi or Abe or Fukuda doesn’t really matter as they are all LDP members.

By: John James

John James — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

With Australia failing to pusue the quadralateral talks with Japan and Australian pirates in the form of ‘Greenpeace’ boarding Japanese whalers, with the apparent acquiesence of the Rudd ministry, it was imperative that Rudd move to reassure Japan.
As well, Rudd ‘s team have reversed a decision to sell India our uranium at a time we are demanding India reduce their carbon emissions. Andrew Robb also makes a very telling point by drawing attention to that incredibly foolish decision. Another foreign policy blooper by Rudd’s boys.

By: dermot

dermot — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Tom Japan is not our biggest trading partner.

Exports and imports with china have in the year to March, reached a combined total of $52.7billion, eclipsing two-way trade with Japan of $50.6billion.

John james no tie to abortion? slipping!