Julie Bishop - Member for Curtin

Visit to Moscow and London

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Published on Tuesday, 23 April 2013 00:25

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will travel to Moscow and London this week.

Ms Bishop is visiting Russia at the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, with whom she will meet to discuss issues including the upcoming G20 meeting at St Petersburg, two-way trade and investment and ways to enhance Australian and Russian ties.

She will also meet with other senior government officials, members of the Russian parliament and economic and political analysts.

Ms Bishop will then travel to London where she will represent the Coalition at ANZAC Day ceremonies and participate in wreath laying ceremonies in Hyde Park and Westminster Abbey.

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Attacks at Boston Marathon

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Published on Tuesday, 16 April 2013 06:22

The Coalition utterly condemns the despicable and cowardly attacks on spectators and participants of the Boston Marathon.
 
We extend our sympathies to the families of those who have been killed and our thoughts are with the injured and with the participants, spectators and residents of Boston who have been forced to endure this horrifying event.
 
It is reported that 153 Australians were registered as participants and many more would have been among the spectators lining the route.

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Emerson’s quixotic approach to trade negotiations

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Published on Friday, 19 April 2013 04:37

Trade Minister Craig Emerson has brought an erratic, confused and ineffectual approach to trade negotiations that has placed many Australian exporters at a disadvantage with their competitors overseas.

Minister Emerson said yesterday that negotiations for a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China have effectively collapsed.

Yet as recently as 10 days ago, Craig Emerson spoke about his "high ambition" for an FTA with China and that it would encompass agriculture, services, foreign investment, temporary visas and manufactured goods.

That was in contradiction to his statement just over 12 months ago that "Free trade agreements, I think frankly, are overrated in what they can achieve in terms of a relationship between Australia and China”.

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Senator Carr should apologise to the family of the late Baroness Thatcher

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Published on Wednesday, 10 April 2013 03:27

10 April 2013

Foreign Minister Bob Carr must immediately and unreservedly apologise to the family of the late Baroness Margaret Thatcher for his graceless and cowardly attack on her reputation just hours after she died.

He also showed a complete lack of sensitivity by making allegations about racism and Asian migration to Australia while on an official visit to China.

Senator Carr has raised these allegations only at a time when Baroness Thatcher is obviously unable to defend herself.

According to Senator Carr, Baroness Thatcher made the alleged statements after she had retired from politics and it is more than possible that she would have a different recollection of that conversation and would dispute Senator Carr’s version of events.

His decision to make these claims after her death is a crude attempt to slur the reputation of one of the 20th century’s most outstanding leaders.

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