In what was probably the
biggest invasion of Asia since World War ll ,
Australian politicians galore, public servants , support staff , diplomats , businessmen and carpetbaggers have been flooding the region with promotional balloons and hot air. Leading the huffing and puffing in Singapore was Prime Minister
Tony Abbott, aided by the jossling premiers of Western Australia and Queensland , the Northern Territory Chief
Minister , Uncle Tom Cobley et al.
Yet again indicating he will use any party trick to promote his cause , Abbott staged a smoky ALP charcoalburger
barbecue in the Lion City for the locals
in the above dorky inflatable headgear.
In all the
fun and spruiking , feasting and back slapping , no mention was made about the
fact that Singapore helps transnational corporations who dodge paying tax in Australia to onpass the loot
to places like Ireland and the Caribbean
.
The two day beano
was an opportunity to mark the 50th
anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Singapore , hold an
investment round table and encourage
investors to come on down for the North Australian development
sale of the century outlined in a recent blowing in the wind White Paper . The PM took time out from blowing up balloons to open a
new pad for Townsville’s James Cook University
.
Then it was on to China for a beaut silly season photo opportunity with Trade Minister Andrew Robb (the greatest trade chief since the importation of duty free sliced salami, according to some Tory delicatessens and spin merchants ) and Treasurer Joe Hockey against a background of multi coloured balloons. Incidently, some of the promotion bubbles for the recent trade agreements between Australia, China and Japan burst when angry, struggling North Queensland canefarmers, some unhappy with the way they are treated by overseas owners of mills , loudly complained that once again sugar has been left out of the deals and the proposed controversial American Trans Pacific Partners .
Then it was on to China for a beaut silly season photo opportunity with Trade Minister Andrew Robb (the greatest trade chief since the importation of duty free sliced salami, according to some Tory delicatessens and spin merchants ) and Treasurer Joe Hockey against a background of multi coloured balloons. Incidently, some of the promotion bubbles for the recent trade agreements between Australia, China and Japan burst when angry, struggling North Queensland canefarmers, some unhappy with the way they are treated by overseas owners of mills , loudly complained that once again sugar has been left out of the deals and the proposed controversial American Trans Pacific Partners .