Open Skies Policy?(Singapore)

[whipping boy]

I wonder if little Johnny is still so keen to open our skies to all and sundry after his Singaporian counterparts comments in APEC.
We continue to kow tow to everyone about free trade and allowing anyone who likes to set up a domestic airline in this country to the detriment of the incumbents.What possible benefit can we gain from an open skies policy with both Singapore and NZ,the later has a total population the size of Melbourne.
Deregulation of all industries has been a disaster,ask anyone if they are getting better service from their banks now.The biggest economies on earth don't allow free trade.

Australian Airlines,Australian Crewed,Australian Owned for Australia's Sake!

[Johhny Utah]

Here is an article from ninemsn (http://news.ninemsn.com.au/National/story_52545.asp) concerning the comments made at the APEC summit:

Singapore 'wrong' on race remark: Rudd

"The federal opposition has condemned remarks by Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong that Australia needed to have a majority Asian population before it could properly engage with the region.

Labor foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd said any notion that race and not policy should determine international relations was "just plain wrong".

Mr Goh this week told the APEC summit that an Asian free-trade zone by 2010 plan should not include Australia and New Zealand because they were not fully accepted in the region.

But Mr Rudd said this appeared an inconsistent position, as Asia itself was made up of a diverse range of races.

"I respectfully disagree with the Singaporean prime minister," he said.

"The bottom line is this: Australia's place in this region is determined not on the basis of the colour of our skin but on the content of our policy...

"To somehow say that ethnicity or race should be a benchmark for considering whether or not you're part of the region is just plain wrong."

Mr Rudd said it was possible Mr Goh was trying to be humorous or "loose" but if so it was a careless remark.

He also called for careful and considered statesmanship on the part of the Australian government when dealing with the region."

[OzExpat]

Judging by reports in the local rags hereabouts, the government of Singapore has been very busy hosing down the situation. The spin doctors are working overtime.

Still, when you consider the "sheiff" status accorded to Australia by Dubya, little wonder that most Aussies see the situation as unhelpful.

[Snowballs]

Perhaps except when it comes to free trade or open skies ?

Herald Sun

We're too white for Asian welcome
Malcolm Farr
21oct03

AUSTRALIA reacted angrily yesterday to comments by Singapore's leader that we would not be accepted in Asia until our population was more than 50 per cent Asian.

The tiny island nation's Prime Minister, Goh Chok Tong, said Australians could not be regarded as "indigenous Asians".

"Over time, when there's more Asians going to Australia and the population tips 50 per cent non-whites, and the rest white, they're immediately regarded as Asian," he said.

Mr Goh told business leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum that it would be better if Australia stayed out of Asian plans for a free-trade pact.

The remarks prompted a bristling defence of Australia's national identity by Prime Minister John Howard.

"We don't seek some kind of rating from anybody as far as our position in the region is concerned," Mr Howard said.

"All I can say is that Australia will never define its place in any part of the world other than to behave as we are, and that is Australians.

"Australia will always deport itself in this region and around the world, not according to any derivative status or any ethnic composition, but purely as an independent Australian nation."

Mr Howard said immigration policy would not be changed to favour Asians, describing the idea as absurd.

He said our image in the region was good, pointing out Australia had just signed a free trade deal with Thailand and already had one with Singapore.

"All of those things taken together mean that Australia has a very strong and respected position in the region," he said.

Dr Louise Edwards, senior lecturer at Australian National University's faculty for Asian studies, said Mr Goh's comments were irrelevant.

"Our status as partners in the region is pretty clear," Dr Edwards said.

"Our location can't be denied -- we are in the neighbourhood and we are committed to the neighbourhood."

Robin Jeffrey, professor of politics at La Trobe University and president of the Asian Studies Association, questioned Mr Goh's motives in making the comments on the eve of visits to Australia by US President George W. Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao.

"I think he's probably got his tongue deeply embedded in his cheek," Professor Jeffrey said.

After a private meeting with Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri yesterday, Mr Howard said the strained relationship between the two countries since the East Timor crisis was on the mend.

They discussed counter-terrorism co-operation and economic issues.

Mr Howard said he fully understood President Megawati's decision not to attend the Bali bombing commemoration for fear of upsetting local Hindu religious leaders.

The Prime Minister described last week's comments by Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad that Jews controlled the world as anti-semitic.

He said Dr Mahathir's imminent retirement would not dramatically change our relations with Malaysia.

"I won't be seeking to be knocking on the door the day after there's been a change in the prime ministership," he said.

Mr Bush yesterday condemned Dr Mahathir's remarks as hateful.

[slamer]

Whinging Boy

I am curious to know what you think the population of Singapore is?
Would one not think, a smaller population base is more at threat from a larger one, Unless of course the larger is not competative!

[halas]

Asian free trade zone.

Isn't that exactly what One Nation were striving for?

Now their enemies want the same thing. Odd isn't it?

Oh, hang on... Asian free-trade zone!

Sorry my mistake.

halas

[Groaner]

Did Johnny really say "deport ourselves"?

[BlueEagle]

Been following the news today on TV and in the papers. It is now suggested that GTC's remarks were aimed at those ASEAN countries who hold stronger views than Singapore, (Malaysia?), and were to the effect, "To those countries in SE Asia that took a 'purist' view, Australia will not be accepted until at least 50% are Asian"

Just my take, could be wrong!

[OzExpat]

Yes Blue Eagle, 100% for that effort. The local papers have, for the past two days, been talking about how the Oz media took the Singapore PM's comment out of context. The general feeling here is that it must've been a slow news day in Oz... :yuk: