[Greens-Media] 5 years ago: incompetent Bush addresses adoring House

[Hollo, Tim (Sen C. Milne)]

Thursday, 23 October 2008

5 years ago: incompetent Bush addresses adoring House

Five years ago today Greens Senators Bob Brown and Kerry Nettle stood up
in the Australian Parliament and addressed US President George Bush, now
widely recognised as the most incompetent leader in a century.

But then, on 23 October 2003, the House of Representatives was packed
and hushed. Prime Minister Howard (labelled "sheriff" by Bush) gave an
admiring speech and the Speaker tried unlawfully and unsuccessfully to
eject the two Greens. 

In response to President Bush's speech about the US invasion of Iraq
Senator Brown said:

"Mr Bush, this is Australia. Respect our nation. Return our Australians
from Guantanamo Bay. Respect the laws of the world and the world will
respect you."

When Mr Bush's speech moved on to the benefits of a free trade agreement
with Australia, Kerry Nettle stood up for farmers and people who rely on
our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme by calling on the President to stop
bullying Australia.

In a flagrant breach of the law, the Greens were next day forcibly
prevented from attending the Senate as part of a joint house meeting to
hear China's President Hu Jintao. President Hu's armed secret service
agents were allowed into parliament to prevent China democracy activists
entering the public gallery.

However, fearing a breakout of democracy in other parliaments, President
Bush later turned down offers to address the Canadian and British
parliaments.

Senator Brown says that while his statement to Bush brought an avalanche
of angry criticism from conservative commentators at the time, these
days he is frequently congratulated by Australians who are glad their
parliament was not totally given over to the presidential presence back
in 2003. 

Further information: Russell Kelly 0438 376 082

Tim Hollo
Media Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
ph: (02) 6277 3588
mob: 0437 587 562

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