The natives are getting restless. If you think relations are bad between leaders and diplomats in Australia and Indonesia, they’d have to be warmer than the reception Immigration Minister Scott Morrison and his army lieutenant (general) Angus Campbell got from journalists at a press conference late this morning.
Reporters weren’t going to miss their opportunity to grill the government about its asylum seeker operations, not knowing when they’d get another chance. First Morrison refused to talk about it outside of weekly briefings, now he’s scrapped them altogether. Today’s may be the last for a while.
They peppered Morrison and Campbell with questions — is the navy towing boats back? Are detainees self-harming? How many boats are coming? — but they didn’t get many answers. “I’m not going to play that game,” was Morrison’s typically bolshie response.
You do have to admire the tactics. The Abbott government has put us on war footing, engaging the military and then using it as excuse to mask operational detail. As for the conditions in the offshore detention camps and sickening reports on poor access to medical aid and detainees hurting and starving themselves, that’s easily dismissed as unsourced claims from self-interested groups. It’s masterful media management.
Remember, most Australians reckon those seeking asylum aren’t being treated harshly enough. In that sort of environment, no matter the howls from some, it’s nothing but smooth sailing for the government.
I don’t have to admire the tactics.
I don’t find the tactics admirable, ‘masterful’, or even particularly clever. Pandering to the lowest common denominator (in both the electorate and media) doesn’t seem that hard.
This editorial comment has a curious tone – almost approaching snide. I would’ve thought independent journalists would be reserving their admiration for those press colleagues out there trying to extract some answers and shed some light on despicable and dangerous conduct.
I realise that the “full” team may not be back in the bunker yet. But when Crikey starts describing the current “Kafkaesque” nonsense that the Abbott Govt is spouting, as “masterful media management”. Then it’s time for the editorial staff give themselves a good kick up the backside.
*You lot* are supposed to be holding the bastards to account. Not dispassionately reading out the notional score from the latest bloody poll.
Pardon my ire. But it’s hot & nasty where I am right now. Plus I don’t enjoy watching my country’s Govt behaving like war criminals.
I am with Mr Cat.
I don’t admire anything to do with this rabble. No human or animal would.
Now we are on a WAR footing a la T A’S announcement . . should I worry if Military vehicles slow down when passing my house? Am even more curious . . Has The Lieutenant General authority to employ Security Powers covering arrest and detention of citizens, including prevention of citizens acknowledging or commenting upon the disappearance of a loved one?. Yes Crikey, when is something a joke or a game, or something all together more serious. Australia is changing . . and I’m not laughing or trivializing T A and Minister Morrison’s contempt for Parliament and the public’s right to know!