Spencer Chandra Herbert asks why the Liberals support increasing tanker traffic on our coast
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Spencer Chandra Herbert asks why the Liberals support increasing tanker traffic on our coast - Video
The political appointment of Alexander Downer as Australia's high commissioner in London is justified because he's clearly the best man for the job, the head of the Liberal Party in the UK says.
Labor has hit out at the government's decision to move Mike Rann from the high-profile diplomatic post prematurely to make way for the Howard government minister.
Former South Australian Labor premier Mr Rann, whose term was not due to expire for another 18 months, will head to Rome as ambassador to Italy in May as part of a switch the opposition has branded 'blatantly political'.
But Australian Liberals Abroad president Jason Groves said on Monday having a high commissioner politically aligned with the government was in the nation's best interest.
Mr Groves claimed nobody was better qualified for the role than Mr Downer, Australia's longest-serving foreign minister.
'To have a high commissioner who is listened to and respected by the government of the day is very useful,' Mr Groves told AAP.
'Alexander Downer is someone who is incredibly well-connected in the UK already and someone who can hit the ground running.
'He has experience that's almost unparalleled by any other Australian in foreign affairs matters.
'With a lot of big issues going on in Europe at the moment, and with Australia's presidency of the G20, it's important having someone who is very familiar with all of these issues and able to talk to the British government with authority.'
Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek called for Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to explain the 'abrupt' installation of Mr Downer while Labor MP Bernie Ripoll accused the government of delivering 'jobs for the boys'.
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The Parti Qubcois is attacking Liberal Leader Philippe Couillards loyalty to the province as the election campaign enters its final week, warning voters that electing their rival would mean a return to institutional bilingualism and the rise of religious fundamentalism.
He is truly a risk to our language and culture, PQ Leader Pauline Marois said Sunday. When he speaks about language it is [to] bilingualize Quebec . I believe Mr. Couillard, who changes his mind on just about everything and on what is fundamental to the Quebec nation: its identity, language, culture, history, isnt ready to govern Quebec.
After seeing renewed referendum talk push the Liberals into the lead, the PQ began to attack Mr. Couillard on his business dealings, but has now shifted the offensive to his willingness to defend Quebecs language and culture.
This time, Ms. Maroiss ammunition came from comments Mr. Couillard made during last Thursdays leaders debate, when he was asked why someone would need to speak English to work in a factory.
There are more and more jobs where it is important. You know very well. Even on factory floors, its becoming more and more important, Mr. Couillard said. Later in the debate he said: Bilingualism is not a threat. Knowledge of English is indispensable.
Then on Friday, while campaigning in Blainville, north of Montreal, Mr. Couillard explained the advantages of being bilingual: Its a great advantage for anyone to be bilingual. I know. This is something the pquistes dont want me to say, but Ill say it again: Theres not a single parent in Quebec that doesnt hope for their kids to be bilingual. Its such a fantastic asset in life. And it goes the other way, for English-speaking kids to be bilingual in French is a fantastic asset.
Mr. Couillard did not disavow these comments, but fought back on Sunday by vowing to safeguard the French language and saying he had no lessons to learn from the PQ about patriotism.
Ms. Marois was not alone in her attacks on the Liberal leader. Janette Bertrand, the 89-year old popular former TV host and defender of womens rights in the province, spoke Sunday at a PQ rally, saying that if the party is defeated in the April 7 election it will spell the end of the secular charter and the rise of religious fundamentalism. Ms. Bertrand called it a danger to Quebec society and that could lead to the erosion womens rights and jeopardize gender equality in the province.
If I am here today it is because we must vote for Ms. Marois, the Parti Qubcois because if we dont there will be no charter, Ms. Bertrand said.
Last fall, Ms. Bertrand founded a pro-charter group nicknamed Janettes along with Julie Snyder, the wife of media magnate and star PQ candidate Pierre Karl Pladeau. They recruited several other prominent figures in defending the secular charter to fight religious fundamentalism.
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Liberals Couillard a risk to our language and culture, Marois warns
Keith Leslie, The Canadian Press Published Monday, March 31, 2014 11:17AM EDT Last Updated Monday, March 31, 2014 4:43PM EDT
TORONTO -- Ontario's Liberals have confirmed that an outside tech expert police allege was given access to 24 computers in the premier's office last year had a contract with the governing party that was cancelled just two days ago.
Government house leader John Milloy says computer expert Peter Faist was also under contract to the Liberal caucus office at Queen's Park, but that contract ended when former premier Dalton McGuinty left office.
Ontario Provincial Police, who are investigating the deletion of government emails related to the cancellation of two gas plants, alleged in court documents that the computer access was given by David Livingston, McGuinty's former chief of staff.
The court documents, released last Thursday, also allege that Livingston sought access to the government computers to "wipe clean" the hard drives.
Progressive Conservative critic Lisa MacLeod says Faist was "under the employment of Kathleen Wynne" until two days after the OPP allegations were made public last week.
MacLeod calls word of Faist's contract with the Liberals a "bombshell" that she says "looks very damning" for the governing party.
She says it raises more questions about Wynne's role in the attempted coverup of the Liberals' decisions to cancel gas plants in Oakville and Mississauga prior to the 2011 election at a cost to taxpayers of up to $1.1 billion.
The Liberals accused the Conservatives of playing "dirty politics" by trying to link Wynne to the apparent tampering of the computers in the premier's office.
Milloy said he didn't know how much Faist was paid by the Liberals and didn't say what the terms of the contract were.
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Tech expert allegedly linked to deleted emails had contract with Liberals
Keith Leslie, The Canadian Press Published Monday, March 31, 2014 11:17AM EDT Last Updated Monday, March 31, 2014 4:43PM EDT
TORONTO -- Ontario's Liberals have confirmed that an outside tech expert police allege was given access to 24 computers in the premier's office last year had a contract with the governing party that was cancelled just two days ago.
Government house leader John Milloy says computer expert Peter Faist was also under contract to the Liberal caucus office at Queen's Park, but that contract ended when former premier Dalton McGuinty left office.
Ontario Provincial Police, who are investigating the deletion of government emails related to the cancellation of two gas plants, alleged in court documents that the computer access was given by David Livingston, McGuinty's former chief of staff.
The court documents, released last Thursday, also allege that Livingston sought access to the government computers to "wipe clean" the hard drives.
Progressive Conservative critic Lisa MacLeod says Faist was "under the employment of Kathleen Wynne" until two days after the OPP allegations were made public last week.
MacLeod calls word of Faist's contract with the Liberals a "bombshell" that she says "looks very damning" for the governing party.
She says it raises more questions about Wynne's role in the attempted coverup of the Liberals' decisions to cancel gas plants in Oakville and Mississauga prior to the 2011 election at a cost to taxpayers of up to $1.1 billion.
The Liberals accused the Conservatives of playing "dirty politics" by trying to link Wynne to the apparent tampering of the computers in the premier's office.
Milloy said he didn't know how much Faist was paid by the Liberals and didn't say what the terms of the contract were.
Continued here:
Tech expert who allegedly got access to gov't computers had contract with Liberals