Malcolm Turnbull, who has spent much of this week defending government secrecy over his phone conversation with Donald Trump, has just been done a favour by the forces of media scrutiny and public accountability.
On the surface, this is just another SNAFU - another uncontrolled leak that has gazumped the Prime Minister's agenda, right when he wants to talk about tax cuts, cheaper electricity, and affordable childcare.
More World News Videos
- Video duration
- 01:04
Turnbull soft on Trump
Turnbull soft on Trump
While other world leaders take a strong stand against Donald Trump's anti-immigration policy, our PM has tried to skirt the issue.
Up Next
Worst call by far: Trump
- Video duration
- 02:22
- Video duration
- 02:22
Worst call by far: Trump
Worst call by far: Trump
The US President abruptly ended a call with PM Malcolm Turnbull describing it as the worst call and the refugee deal also the worst. Courtesy ABC News 24.
Up Next
Is Jared Kushner losing his power?
- Video duration
- 01:12
- Video duration
- 01:12
Is Jared Kushner losing his power?
Is Jared Kushner losing his power?
Donald Trump's son-in-law was meant to be a powerful influence, but now Steve Bannon's taken over.
Up Next
Confusion continues over refugee deal
- Video duration
- 01:05
- Video duration
- 01:05
Confusion continues over refugee deal
Confusion continues over refugee deal
Australian politicians say the deal to resettle refugees in the US is on track, but President Donald Trump seems to still be deciding. Courtesy ABC.
Up Next
Orwell's '1984' back as bestseller
- Video duration
- 01:53
- Video duration
- 01:53
Orwell's '1984' back as bestseller
Orwell's '1984' back as bestseller
George Orwell's "1984" novel is back as a bestseller as readers grapple with Donald Trump administration's defence of "alternative facts."
Up Next
Brexit bill clears first legal hurdle
- Video duration
- 00:48
- Video duration
- 00:48
Brexit bill clears first legal hurdle
Brexit bill clears first legal hurdle
A law allowing Prime Minister Theresa May to exit from the European Union cleared its first legislative hurdle. The bill could complete the legislative process by March.
Up Next
Kia to keep exporting cars from Mexico
- Video duration
- 01:21
- Video duration
- 01:21
Kia to keep exporting cars from Mexico
Kia to keep exporting cars from Mexico
The automaker plans to keep shipping cars to the US from Mexico despite Trump's "America First" battlecry.
Up Next
Rolf Harris: Jury in trial retires
- Video duration
- 01:17
- Video duration
- 01:17
Rolf Harris: Jury in trial retires
Rolf Harris: Jury in trial retires
The jury in the 86-year-old's groping trial in London has retired to consider its verdicts. (Video courtesy: ABC News 24)
Turnbull soft on Trump
While other world leaders take a strong stand against Donald Trump's anti-immigration policy, our PM has tried to skirt the issue.
But look deeper.
The real import of the Washington Post's bombshell coverage of that telephone conversation is that it vindicates Turnbull's hitherto lame protest to have acted strongly and determinedly in Australia's interests.
The corollary point is that Trump is the Mad King: volatile, vainglorious, and potentially unreliable. Turnbull is right to handle him with kid-gloves.
Suddenly, Turnbull's grim press conference demeanour on Monday when confirming that the nascent Trump administration would honour the Barack Obama-agreed refugee transfer deal is explained.
As is the Prime Minister's frustration at the widely held sense that he had not pushed back, and had not forcefully spoken up for Australian citizens, regarding Trump's seven-nation entry ban to the US.
Australian government sources confirm the Washington Post's story is substantially correct. Trump was angry, did describe the Obama deal as the worst he'd seen, and did treat the Australian leader with contempt. He allegedly hung up after 25 minutes in, having yelled and jumped chaotically from point to point.
But Turnbull persisted.
Presumably someone who stood up to Margaret Thatcher, Kerry Packer and various others in big business has seen bravado and alpha-male bullying before.
Importantly, the government believes it still has a deal over the 1250 refugees, and this has since been confirmed by the administration - despite several confusing qualifications. But Canberra is on tenterhooks, keenly aware that the eponymous administration is shambolic, and that the refugee agreement may not hold.
What is not clear is whether Turnbull had to give anything away to get Trump's verbal agreement, given that the arch American deal-maker regarded it as such a bad trade.
Bill Shorten complained that once again, Australians have discovered important developments from sources at the American end. That is indeed a concern, given that news of the telephone conversation on Sunday morning was first revealed by the White House. Ditto for the precise number of refugees to be taken from Nauru and Manus.
Yet Shorten's point is something of a cheap shot unless he intends to make his sensitive conversations with world leaders public, should he become prime minister. Of course he would not.
0 comments
New User? Sign up