One mess that no one expected Tony Abbott to inherit when he became Prime Minister was the legacy of the then-Defence Signals Directorate’s attempt to tap the phone of the Indonesian President, his wife and other senior figures under the Rudd government.
This revelation, provided by Edward Snowden via media outlets, is entirely in the public interest: it yet again demonstrates the mentality of security agencies that place a “just because we can” approach to surveillance above protecting the national interests of their country.
The attempt to monitor the President’s phone has plainly infuriated the Indonesian political elite. As Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has said, this is not “business as usual”. The suspension of co-operation with Australia across intelligence-gathering and disrupting people-smuggling networks is being considered.
The relationship with Indonesia, as all sides of politics now acknowledge, is our most important. Abbott has spoken at length about his intention to improve it. He is now faced with trying to minimise damage to that relationship, rather than improve it. His statement to Parliament yesterday certainly doesn’t fit that bill: he seemed to suggest that it was President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s decision to be “embarrassed by media reports” that was the real problem.
A more considered approach would be simply to accept that, for the good of our relationship with Indonesia, we should apologise and get on with rebuilding. There’s an old Labor adage about having to eat a shit sandwich. And that’s what the then-DSD, under a Labor government, has bequeathed to Abbott. The least worst option is to consume it and move on as quickly as possible.
I want to disparage TT but in this case he is correct.
Extraordinary responses from the right wingers. If Abbott doesn’t fix this up soon presumably they’ll blame the ABC, Guardian, Snowden and everyone else for Australia’s continuing poor relations with Indonesia.
Put the responsibility where it belongs, the last Labour Government, apologise for them, carpet the Sig guys and require that if they are going to target a Head of State or senior foreign government it requires a direct order from the PM.
The ABC as the “breaker” of the news needs a huge kick in the ass. It was designed to hurt the new Govt and support their bleeding heart “boat people” agenda. Heads should be kicked or rolled.
And as they shave shown they can’t behave in the public interest, Australia’s, Tony should reinstate if it is not still in action the old “D” (I think it was) notice system with the press. the public does have a right to know but not necessarily everything.
The release of the information hurt the Abbott Govt
The information was true
Therefore the Abbott Govt vulnerable to the truth
Yup that sounds about right for Truthless Tony.
The fact is the problem is that Abbott has handled the problem appalingly
Bit like when did you stop beating your wife logic.
The media need a bit of discipline, they report their job is not to make the news.
FYI
Australian D Notices
Since 1952 D Notices have been issued by the Committee as the need has been perceived. The files listed in the table below provide information on those notices issued during the 1950s. A review conducted in 1974 reduced the number of D Notices from seven to four. This number was confirmed at four by a review conducted in 1982.
These D Notices, which have been in force since 1982 are:
D Notice 1 – Capabilities of the Australian Defence Force, Including Aircraft, Ships, Weapons, and Other Equipment;
D Notice 2 – Whereabouts of Mr and Mrs Vladimir Petrov;
D Notice 3 – Signals Intelligence and Communications Security; and
D Notice 4 – Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS).
Its right there, has not been revoked and should be invoked.