Labor's Hypocrisy on Iraq

Labor under Kevin Rudd has been exposed yet again for its hypocrisy on Iraq.

Today, on the ABC Insiders program, Labor's foreign affairs spokesman, Robert McClelland, launched an attack on the planning and strategies adopted by the Bush Administration in the struggle to secure a better future for the people of Iraq.

Asked how badly President Bush had "mishandled the situation in Iraq", Mr McClelland replied: "Atrociously so."

This crude criticism of the United States president by a senior Labor figure comes less than a week after Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd sought to censure the Government in federal Parliament over what he claimed was improper criticism of an American presidential hopeful.

Yet, now, as part of Labor's rolling commentary on the conduct of US policy in Iraq, a senior party frontbencher has resorted to gratuitous personal criticism of the elected president. This highlights Labor's deplorable double standards not only on Iraq but also in its attitudes towards the US alliance.

If Mr Rudd had any semblance of principle, he would censure immediately his foreign affairs spokesman. Sadly, we have learned not to expect any consistency of principle or purpose from Mr Rudd on these issues. Instead, he seeks to offer a posture for every occasion, and an opinion for every audience.

Mr Rudd seeks to appease the Labor Left by saying the US military intervention in Iraq was wrong, and that all coalition forces should withdraw in defeat.

At the same time, he claims to be a supporter of the US alliance, and insists Labor's policy of surrender would not leave our ally in the lurch. Absurdly, he argues Labor can deliver on its "troops out" rhetoric even if it leaves 900 Australian defence personnel in the Iraq threatre.

Labor is in disarray on an issue vital to our national interests. The Iraq policy of Kevin Rudd's Labor Party stands condemned by its own contradictions.

Media Inquiries: Mr Downer's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555