Latham cuts and runs from US relationship

Labor Leader Mark Latham’s withdrawal from his much-touted trip to Washington and New York next month betrays his disdain for the United States.

Mr Latham has used yesterday’s Budget as a dishonest excuse to cancel his participation in the Australia-America Leadership Dialogue.

As today’s The Bulletin magazine indicates, Mr Latham has been looking for a way to cancel his trip for some time: “…it is appearing increasingly unlikely that Latham will go…”.

The real reasons were Mr Latham’s inability to secure meetings with US officials and his lack of understanding of the importance of Australia’s relationship with the US.

Mr Latham’s apparently only confirmed appointment was with the Deputy Secretary of State. He dramatically had failed to secure a meeting with the Democrat Presidential candidate, Senator John Kerry.

Having hurled abuse at the US President, attacked Australia’s Free Trade Agreement with the US and downplayed the importance of the alliance, Mr Latham needed to show the courage and experience necessary to develop an understanding of the US relationship.

The US is Australia’s most important security ally and one of our largest economic partners. The Australian Government’s policy is to continue to strengthen this vital relationship.

Instead of being embarrassed at not being able to secure high-level meetings in Washington, Mr Latham should have taken whatever meetings he was offered. He could have learned about issues of mutual interest and demonstrated his credentials to manage the relationship in a mature fashion.

Instead, he has cut and run from the US relationship. Mr Latham’s only interest in the United States seems to be as a rich source of speaking notes and political ideas.

Media inquiries: Chris Kenny (Ministerial) 02-6277 7500