Gillard and Abbott both love Murray

abbott and gillard

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and PM Julia Gillard at the “I love Murray” campaign event on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith
Source: The Daily Telegraph




IN parliament they’re fierce enemies, but outside it was a mighty river that brought all sides of parliament together this morning.


IN parliament they’re fierce enemies, but outside it was a mighty river that brought all sides of parliament together this morning.

Well, almost.

At 8:30am Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and Greens Leader Bob Brown addressed the Adelaide Advertiser’s “I Love Murray” campaign event, on the lawns outside Parliament House.

As Ms Gillard spoke to the crowd, she was supported by Labor frontbenchers Kate Ellis, Penny Wong and Tony Burke as well as a phalanx of backbenchers.

Also standing behind the PM were Greens senators Sarah Hanson-Young and Bob Brown.

When Mr Abbott ventured to the microphone to address the audience South Australian Liberals Christopher Pyne, Simon Birmingham and Andrew Southcott were keen to stand behind their leader and in camera shot – almost on Ms Gillard’s toes.

That Liberal Party MPs stood right in front of the PM, part blocking her from view, wasn’t lost on the PM or Mr Pyne _ Ms Gillard laughed, taking it in her stride.

When the Greens Leader took to the microphone the Liberals were quick to get out of camera shot, absenting themselves stage right, leaving just Labor MPs behind him.

Goodwill between the major parties was maintained for another hour – this time in the House of Representatives, when the PM and Mr Abbott teamed up to call for a world free of nuclear weapons.

Ms Gillard on Wednesday moved a motion calling on MPs to reaffirm their support for the eradication of all nuclear weapons.

The motion calls for nuclear weapons states to make further cuts to their stockpiles and for states outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to sign the treaty.

It also calls on states to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and for stronger international measures to address failures to comply with the NPT.

Ms Gillard’s motion comes just days before she is due to join other world leaders in South Korea for the second Nuclear Security Summit.

“We are realistic about eliminating nuclear weapons,” Ms Gillard told parliament.

“It will be difficult, it will take time, and ultimately it will require a stable international security environment. But it can be done.”

Mr Abbott seconded Ms Gillard’s motion, saying while nuclear weapons could not be uninvented “they can and should be controlled and reduced”.
 

Views: 0

You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Leave a Reply

Powered by WordPress | Designed by: Premium WordPress Themes | Thanks to Themes Gallery, Bromoney and Wordpress Themes