Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CANBERRA949
2009-10-23 06:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
RUDD CONFIDENT ON ASYLUM SEEKER ISSUE
how-toVZCZCXRO7846 PP RUEHDT RUEHPT DE RUEHBY #0949 2960612 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 230612Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2170 INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0303 RUEHDT/AMEMBASSY DILI 0210 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1197 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 0655 RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA 5548 RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 4986 RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH 4989 RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE 6723 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2032
UNCLAS CANBERRA 000949
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR PRM AND SA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SMIG PREF ELAB ECON AS
SUBJECT: RUDD CONFIDENT ON ASYLUM SEEKER ISSUE
REF: A. A. CANBERRA 255
B. B. CANBERRA 807
C. C. CANBERRA 945
UNCLAS CANBERRA 000949
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR PRM AND SA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SMIG PREF ELAB ECON AS
SUBJECT: RUDD CONFIDENT ON ASYLUM SEEKER ISSUE
REF: A. A. CANBERRA 255
B. B. CANBERRA 807
C. C. CANBERRA 945
1. (SBU) Summary: Prime Minister Rudd is displaying
increased confidence on the issue of asylum seekers, as the
surge in boats continues. Rudd is attacking the previous
government's tough policies while emphasizing his
government's more humane approach. This action follows
internal criticism of his tough rhetoric on the issue, and
the remarks of one Opposition MP linking asylum seekers to
terrorism. End Summary.
Rudd on the offensive
--------------
2. (SBU) Rudd on October 22 attacked the Opposition on the
asylum seeker issue, sparked by a Liberal MP claiming "narrow
odds" of terrorists being on vessels carrying asylum seekers.
Rudd angrily rejected this, labeling the Liberal party as
the party of "kids behind razor wire," wrongful detentions
and "fear and smear." He called on Opposition Leader Malcolm
Turnbull to "show some leadership" by withdrawing support for
the MP's preselection. Prior to this, there were concerns
Rudd's consistently tough rhetoric on the issue risked
demonizing asylum seekers. For example, Labor MP Michael
Danby declared he preferred the less hard-line rhetoric of
Immigration Minister Chris Evans.
3. (SBU) Comment: Previously, Rudd had been extremely
cautious on the border protection issue, mindful of the
problems Labor had in 2001. However, rather than being on
the defensive--e.g. pointing out that asylum seekers undergo
security checks--Rudd decided to attack. Politically, this
is clever on several fronts. Firstly, it addresses internal
concerns about his approach. Secondly, it puts more pressure
on Turnbull's beleaguered leadership. And thirdly, Rudd is
leveraging his popularity, and the power of government, to
encourage a more nuanced and compassionate debate of the
asylum seeker issue, which will help Labor long-term. End
Comment.
CLUNE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR PRM AND SA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SMIG PREF ELAB ECON AS
SUBJECT: RUDD CONFIDENT ON ASYLUM SEEKER ISSUE
REF: A. A. CANBERRA 255
B. B. CANBERRA 807
C. C. CANBERRA 945
1. (SBU) Summary: Prime Minister Rudd is displaying
increased confidence on the issue of asylum seekers, as the
surge in boats continues. Rudd is attacking the previous
government's tough policies while emphasizing his
government's more humane approach. This action follows
internal criticism of his tough rhetoric on the issue, and
the remarks of one Opposition MP linking asylum seekers to
terrorism. End Summary.
Rudd on the offensive
--------------
2. (SBU) Rudd on October 22 attacked the Opposition on the
asylum seeker issue, sparked by a Liberal MP claiming "narrow
odds" of terrorists being on vessels carrying asylum seekers.
Rudd angrily rejected this, labeling the Liberal party as
the party of "kids behind razor wire," wrongful detentions
and "fear and smear." He called on Opposition Leader Malcolm
Turnbull to "show some leadership" by withdrawing support for
the MP's preselection. Prior to this, there were concerns
Rudd's consistently tough rhetoric on the issue risked
demonizing asylum seekers. For example, Labor MP Michael
Danby declared he preferred the less hard-line rhetoric of
Immigration Minister Chris Evans.
3. (SBU) Comment: Previously, Rudd had been extremely
cautious on the border protection issue, mindful of the
problems Labor had in 2001. However, rather than being on
the defensive--e.g. pointing out that asylum seekers undergo
security checks--Rudd decided to attack. Politically, this
is clever on several fronts. Firstly, it addresses internal
concerns about his approach. Secondly, it puts more pressure
on Turnbull's beleaguered leadership. And thirdly, Rudd is
leveraging his popularity, and the power of government, to
encourage a more nuanced and compassionate debate of the
asylum seeker issue, which will help Labor long-term. End
Comment.
CLUNE