By KATH GANNAWAY
IT WAS a coup of the best kind for a local politician.
For Casey MP Tony Smith to get Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, to a 7am business breakfast before a crowd of 200 people at Rochford Winery on Wednesday, 18 February, was a big deal.
State Liberal MPs David Hodgett, Christine Fyffe and Cindy McLeish, and Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Maria McCarthy, were among the hand-picked guests who, for the most part, represented business interests from agriculture and timber to tourism, service industries and commerce.
If anyone had called for a split, it’s fair to say the Libs would have had it in the bag.
But there was a genuine and warm welcome all around for Ms Bishop who started with a pre-breakfast meet and greet with Grace Hodgson, the eight-year-old Dixons Creek student whose design was chosen for Mr Smith’s Christmas 2014, and Casey 2014 Apprentice/Trainee of the Year, Mount Evelyn hairdresser Mikayla Paulet.
Professor John Funder, AC, from Wandin, reflected the atmosphere of the room when, after Ms Bishop had spoken authoritatively on difficult issues from the Russian/Ukraine situation to Middle East terrorism and Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukamaran on death row in Bali, he said “I have to say how proud I am to be Australian and have you as our Foreign Minister.”
That declaration drew spontaneous and sustained bi-partisan applause, and reflected comments made to the Mail following the breakfast that Ms Bishop was highly regarded as a politician – and potential leader.
Prof Funder, who on Australia Day was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia for his work in medical research, sought support for a project he is involved in which aims to set up a children’s hospital in Gaza.
It was one of many issues raised that tapped directly into Ms Bishop’s role as Foreign Minister.
She was, inevitably, asked about Australia’s role, and her personal response, to the situation with the Indonesian Government and the Australians facing execution in Indonesia.
“Are we doing the right thing … I know we have to make some effort to change the law in Indonesia, but the old adage is ‘do the crime, do the time’,” was the question.
“They were 20 and 21 at the time,” Ms Bishop said.
“That’s no excuse, but surely we are trying to rehabilitate people who offend … surely we give someone a second chance.”
She spoke of their remorse and the difference they were making in prison and said it was not about asking for them to be released.
“I know this is something on which there is a divided view … in this room, and across Australia,” she said.
“I think it’s a case for the Indonesian Government showing mercy to two Australian citizens.
She spoke with authority, conviction and compassion of the role Australia played when Flight MH17 was shot down over the Ukraine by Russian-backed separatists, saying it was an atrocity in which 38 Australian ‘souls’ were lost.
She said Australia used its position on the UN Security Council to get federal police into the war zone to retrieve the bodies and push for an independent investigation.
On the Middle East, she said terrorism was a growing phenomenon that was more dangerous, more complex and more global than ever before.
Why that mattered to Australia, she said, was because Australian citizens were fighting with the terrorist organisation and there was the potential for them to return as ‘home-grown’ terrorists.
On local issues, employment was raised with one person saying he was unable to get workers with one young candidate saying he could get more money on the dole.
Ms Bishop said she believed young people if given the opportunity to get a job would take it and said the Work For the Dole scheme was introduced to provide meaningful work, and build a work ethic, that would transition young people into work.
“Parents, families and schools have a very significant role to play in instilling in young people a work ethic,” she said.
Other issues raised were the need for a national approach and legislation in relation to matters including sexual abuse of children.
Ms Bishop acknowledged the need for a ‘seamless jurisdiction’ on issues such as domestic and sexual violence saying the Federal Government had a role to play.
She said sexual abuse of children was at the heart of a review into what worked and what didn’t under federation.
“I believe what comes from that review will form a very significant platform of promises at the next election,” she foreshadowed.
Mount Evelyn businesswoman Kristy McKenzie from Natural Chique spoke of the problems associated with taking on an apprentice, including three different awards.
Ms Bishop said the government had brought in their red-tape deregulation program removing about $2 billion from the backs of business, and were looking at other ways to help employers with apprenticeships.
In her earlier speech, she said the biggest challenge for the government was getting the budget under control.
That was recognised in a plea by retired business owner Howard Carter.
“I urge you to stay firm in trying to reduce the deficit,” he said.
“We look for your input and guidance,” Ms Bishop said in relation to the problem, and the solution, of growing the economy through participation and productivity.
“You are running businesses, you have children, you are connected to your communities.
“We want to hear your ideas on how we can take on these challenges.”
