- May 19th, 2020
- Posted by EU Australia
The European Union’s move to get CORVID-19 investigated through the World Health Organisation (WHO) has been made difficult by Chinese-American squabbling –and Australia trying to get into the fight.
The EU focus has been to try and discover more about the virus and its origins, and draw lessons about managing both the particular disease and others that may follow.
But first they have had to manage, coax and bring into the process, unreasoning parties on two sides: on one hand American and Australian governments picking a fight with the Chinese, on the other, Chinese communists indulging their accustomed habits of coercion and abuse. It’s a picture of maturity from Brussels and something much less from these other partners. … Read More »
- June 26th, 2019
- Posted by EU Australia
British Conservatives in the coming weeks, voting on whether to make Boris Johnson their party leader, may be opening a can of worms.
Lee Duffield writes that the antics of the strong advocate of “Brexit” – secession from Europe – are wrapped around many problems with his track record and identity.
He says also, Johnson is one of a kind. … Read More »
- May 29th, 2019
- Posted by EU Australia
The European Parliament elections on the weekend saw a lot of disappointment for all those looking for drama, though voter turnout got a healthy lift.
Lee Duffield interprets what happened including a treatment of how it connects with the mess being made of government in Britain. … Read More »
- April 23rd, 2019
- Posted by EU Australia
Easter has brought a cruel trial for Christians world-wide with the coordinated bomb attacks on churches and major hotels in Sri Lanka.
That outrage and the devastation by fire of Notre Dame at Paris the week before will be remembered for the season this time.
In Christian belief Easter marks the anniversary of the crucifixion and later resurrection in Jerusalem of Jesus Christ. … Read More »
- April 17th, 2019
- Posted by EU Australia
The European Union Heads of Government, week ending 12 April, had good reason to throw the British out so they could get on with important business concerning their joint future.
As Lee Duffield reports, they took over, telling the United Kingdom to finally make a plan for leaving the EU and ruling on a timetable for that — to 31 October. … Read More »
- April 16th, 2019
- Posted by EU Australia
The extensive destruction by fire of Notre Dame Cathedral marks a turning-point after close to a millennium of spiritual affirmation and cultural pride — beckoning revival and a new beginning.
As the Cathedral burned on Tuesday morning Australian time Lee Duffield wrote this reflection on some of the meanings of an event that will touch the life of millions. … Read More »
- March 29th, 2019
- Posted by EU Australia
The British parliament has voted to extend the deadline for seceding from Europe from Friday until mid-April – but has failed to vote for a consensus on what to do.
Lee Duffield says he stopped making a straw-poll of Australian observers after getting a very early consistency of comments: “silly pommie parliament”, “incompetent mob”, and so on.
In this up-date he says there is surprise and exasperation in Europe also. … Read More »
