Australia’s
longest serving foreign minister Alexander Downer is well known for him
dummy-spits, a few have already been shared with Crikey readers. Another one has
come to our attention and concerns respected academic Dr Alison Broinowski – who once enjoyed a
stellar career in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Broinowski
told Crikey she was at an Australian Institute of International Affairs(AIIA) seminar in
Sydney which was addressed by Downer and
at question time asked him if he believed John Howard when he said Australians
are safer as a result of our invasion of Iraq.

Downer, who was assessed as “fair
average quality” when he was a foreign service officer, hissed at Broinowski: “I
wouldn’t believe anything you say or write!”

Broinowski was naturally distressed
and amazed by this behaviour and left the
lecture.