Here’s an
interesting exercise for policy wonks. Go to the Labor Party’s website,
click on the “More news” button and then use the “Name” function to call up all
of shadow foreign affairs minister Kevin Rudd’s releases.

There are
lots there – but none of them mention West Papua. Rudd always has something to say
and is the biggest media tart around – except when it comes to West Papua, it seems.

Neighbours
getting tortured and murdered by an army out of control does stir the ALP a
little bit. If you look round the site you’ll find that Bob Sercombe, the junior shadow
for “Pacific island affairs” has something to say on the topic.

But
Kruddy’s silence does nothing to impress critics who fear the Labor position on
West Papua is a do nothing, say nothing,
hope it goes away, sort of policy.