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AustralianTimes.co.uk
Howard predicts Rudd challenge FORMER prime minister John Howard says Kevin Rudd - the man who beat him in 2007 - could make a move for the Labor Party leadership before the federal election. Mr Howard says Mr Rudd’s ousting as prime minister in 2010 by Julia Gillard was very unusual. “The extraordinary thing about the politics in the last few years was Kevin Rudd’s removal,” he told the Nine Network on Monday. “It’s very unusual for somebody who wins an election and then they get rid of him before he’s got the chance of going to the next election.” He said Mr Rudd could try for the Labor leadership again before the 14 September election. “Oh, I think it’s quite possible,
yes,” Mr Howard said. “Politics in the end is driven by the laws of arithmetic.” He said the aggressively personal nature of the current parliament was understandable and was due to it being a hung parliament. “The government can’t get clear air because the majority of people didn’t vote for it,” he said. “The opposition thinks `gee they didn’t win’, so they naturally put pressure on. “All of that is very understandable.” It’s not the first time Mr Howard has predicted a comeback for Mr Rudd. Last May he said he believed it was “more likely than not” that Labor would bring Mr Rudd back before the next federal poll. - AAP
Protection visas for alleged people smuggler’s family cancelled ...continued from p1 it processes asylum seekers and moving more people out of detention. “If we actually see more people arrive, but move through the system more quickly and into bridging visas, for instance, as one example, we might actually see a reduction in the overall spend,” Mr Bowles said. The government expects costs relating to its asylum-seeker policy to fall from $2.23 billion in 2012/13 to about $340 million in 2015/16. Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison accused Labor of claiming savings they will never achieve. “You can’t claim the savings of
stopping the boats, if you don’t implement the polices needed to stop the boats, but this is what Labor have done,” he said in a statement. Mr Bowles had earlier admitted Malaysia had not yet agreed to strengthening human rights protections for asylum seekers under the peopleswap deal between the two nations. The two countries have discussed the deal since the federal government’s expert panel recommended last August that Malaysia provide more protections for minors, but no changes to the agreement have yet been made. Meanwhile, the family of an alleged people smuggler known as Captain Emad have had their protection visas cancelled.
Captain Emad, also known as Ali Al Abbasi and Abu Khalid, fled Australia on June 5 last year, a day after an ABC program linked him to a peoplesmuggling operation and discovered he was working in Canberra. His visa was cancelled last year, and he’s believed to be living in Iraq. His son, daughter, daughter-in-law and ex-wife had their protection visas cancelled in January and were served with removal-pending bridging visas. They’ve also been served with humanitarian stay temporary visas. One remaining daughter is still on a protection visa. The family members haven’t been given a removal date and may still be owed protections. - AAP
An end to the Shebu Sunday session? ...continued from p1 watering-hole for more than a decade, drawing well over a thousand high-spirited punters on a busy day. It is a popular destination for those who have been at The Church in Clapham Junction, which finishes at 4pm, many of whom are dressed in eye-catching outfits. Pub management did not want to discuss the changes publicly, but were keen to point out they were proud to be a focal point for the antipodean community and would continue to welcome them. However the changes were necessary to keep their customers and the general public safe. It is understood the increase in crime is not related to serious offences, but incidents that take up valuable police time and resources. The changes come almost a year to the day that The Redback pub in Acton, another favoured drinking haunt of Kiwis and Aussies, was forced to close following complaints by local residents about rowdy behaviour. Another Walkabout in Finchley Rd closed late last year, but management at Shepherd’s Bush were at pains to point out there were no such plans to do the same and they were planning on spending money on sprucing up the pub. Customers and fans of the pub have been quick to air their views on the changes, with opinion divided between those rueing the end of a much-cherished tradition and those blaming the behaviour of patrons for forcing the changes. Divan Gerber said on Facebook:
“What the hell? It’s a tradition going from the Church to the Walkie, just up the damn security as they do with all other events that have security/ crime concerns.” “First the Redback, then the Slug, now this? You’ve changed London!” Lindsay Brown said. “London’s ruining our backpackers tradition,” Michael Mckinley said. Leith McGoodbloke also saw it as the end of an era. “This is a sad day... The Walkie has cancer and will be dead soon. I’m glad I lived in London during the Walkie’s prime. May snakebite Sunday and the great times it facilitated Rest in Peace.” The move found favour with Mike Harris, however. “Champion effort guys. This is a massive hit on one of your busiest days to try and ultimately improve customer safety and experience. “You definitely do not suck, this is not a disgrace, and there are other places people can go (the other Walkies?) “People that do not see this as a step forward for their benefit are obviously too immature or lack life experience to see that this is a necessity. “Grow up haters, find another watering hole for a couple of weekends, London doesn’t lack them, or go see the sights. Isn’t that why you are here? “I’m pretty sure you can be a bit more productive with two free Sundays not in the pub, or is that too hard for you?”
Musical Director Barry Robinson Sexy, and very effective theatre.. a great night out. **** Sunday Express
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