Dems want cost of Rumsfeld visit
18nov05
THE Australian Democrats want the South Australian Government to release the cost of this week's visit to Adelaide by US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
With a massive security operation in place, involving up to 500 police, and barriers blocking off areas of the city, Democrat MP Sandra Kanck said the Government should reveal how many hospital operations could have been performed for the cost of the visit.
Mr Rumsfeld's presence in Adelaide for ministerial talks between the US and Australian governments was a dubious pleasure, she said.
"(Foreign Minister) Alexander Downer may think most South Australians are pleased to have Rumsfeld turning their city into a locked down zone, but he moves in terribly small circles," Ms Kanck said.
"Many people I have spoken to are plain annoyed that our money is being used to enable Donald Rumsfeld to experience Adelaide in a glass bubble."
Mr Downer said he appreciated the visit was causing some disruption and inconvenience for the public.
"But on the other hand it's a great opportunity to showcase this most wonderful of cities to leaders from around the world," he said.
After his arrival in Adelaide yesterday Mr Rumsfeld visited the South Australian Museum for a tour of the indigenous cultures gallery and later played squash at a local fitness centre.
His visit to SA also drew about 500 protesters to Adelaide's parliament house yesterday afternoon.
Today Mr Rumsfeld will spend most of his day at the Adelaide Town Hall where he and Assistant Secretary of State Bob Zoellick will meet Mr Downer and Defence Minister Robert Hill.
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THE Australian Democrats want the South Australian Government to release the cost of this week's visit to Adelaide by US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
With a massive security operation in place, involving up to 500 police, and barriers blocking off areas of the city, Democrat MP Sandra Kanck said the Government should reveal how many hospital operations could have been performed for the cost of the visit.
Mr Rumsfeld's presence in Adelaide for ministerial talks between the US and Australian governments was a dubious pleasure, she said.
"(Foreign Minister) Alexander Downer may think most South Australians are pleased to have Rumsfeld turning their city into a locked down zone, but he moves in terribly small circles," Ms Kanck said.
"Many people I have spoken to are plain annoyed that our money is being used to enable Donald Rumsfeld to experience Adelaide in a glass bubble."
Mr Downer said he appreciated the visit was causing some disruption and inconvenience for the public.
"But on the other hand it's a great opportunity to showcase this most wonderful of cities to leaders from around the world," he said.
After his arrival in Adelaide yesterday Mr Rumsfeld visited the South Australian Museum for a tour of the indigenous cultures gallery and later played squash at a local fitness centre.
His visit to SA also drew about 500 protesters to Adelaide's parliament house yesterday afternoon.
Today Mr Rumsfeld will spend most of his day at the Adelaide Town Hall where he and Assistant Secretary of State Bob Zoellick will meet Mr Downer and Defence Minister Robert Hill.
Link Here
posted by Kangaroo Brisbane Australia at 2:47 AM
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