in Pulling diplomat pointless move

 

By Dino Cesta - 5 May 2015

NEWCASTLE HERALD 

 

 

As the nation's emotional dust settles following the execution of Chan and Sukumaran, the question I pose is what was the real point in withdrawing the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia this past week? 

 

Yes, Chan and Sukumaran were drug smugglers. Yes, they had truly been rehabilitated.

 

And yes, our Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had every right to argue for the lives of the two Australian citizens on death row. Every Australian citizen would expect nothing less from their Government. 

 

But to withdraw our Ambassador to Indonesia? I think not! Has a precedent now been set? If, for example, an Australian was put to death in the United States, would the Australian Government be just as publicly vocal and withdraw their Ambassador from our closest ally? I certainly think not! 

 

The Abbott Government's withdrawal of the Ambassador was more to do to be seen to be doing something politically on the domestic front. Indonesians certainly won't lose any sleep over it. 

 

The unprecedented move risks placing increased scrutiny on the Abbott Government continuing with this precedent in withdrawing its Ambassador whenever a country does not listen to its impassioned pleads on issues. 

 

If other nations behaved in a similar fashion toward Australia, then we'd possibly have other nations withdrawing their Ambassadors from Australia at displeasure in the Government's inhumane asylum seeker policy!