Kevin Andrews can’t say who Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is for “Operational Reasons”
Australia’s Minister of Defence, and “International Families Man of the Year” award winner, Kevin Andrews appeared last night on the ABC current affairs program 730 to explain the Abbott Government’s decision to deploy an additional 330 Australian troops to fight the so-called ISIL “Death Cult” in Iraq.
Much has been made of the ISIL Death Cult in Australia, with Prime Minister Abbott labelling its pernicious ability to recruit young Australians to fight for its ideology both abhorrent and appalling. The ISIL Death Cult was even linked to the recent siege in Martin Place where a lone gunman held a group of staff and customers hostage for several hours before unleashing a torrent of violent bloodshed. It was an incident that made international headlines and will be forever embedded in the Australian psyche for years to come.
More recently, young Melbournian teenager Jake Bilardi was lured by the ISIL Death Cult and killed himself in an Islamic State suicide bombing. Once again the ISIL Death Cult’s influence in Australia became international headlines and once again attracted the ire of the Federal Government.
“This is a horrific situation, an absolutely horrific situation, and it shows the lure … of this death cult to impressionable youngsters,” said Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
“It’s very, very important that we do everything we can to try to safeguard our young people against the lure of this shocking, alien and extreme ideology,” he said.
The decision to deploy Australian troops to foreign shores where they put their lives at risk to fight such an abhorrent enemy with extreme ideology should not be taken lightly. In making the announcement, Mr Abbott said Iraq was a “dangerous place” and the mission was not “risk free” though the troops will remain on a base.
One could be mistaken for believing that the most senior government official responsible for Australia’s defence forces; the Defence Minister, would possess a detailed knowledge of the ISIL Death Cult and the circumstances Australian Defence personnel are likely to face in their fight against this extreme enemy.
However, last night on ABC’s 730 program, Defence Minister Kevin Andrews was at a loss to identify the leader of the ISIL Death Cult.
Mr Andrews was asked repeatedly by host Leigh Sales to identify the Islamic State group’s head.
He repeatedly avoided answering the question directly, instead insisting that “the leadership was complex and shifting.”
Host Leigh Sales asked: “Who is the top leader and what sort of focus is there on his capture?”
Unable to name the leader of ISIL, Mr Andrews opted for the so-called “Scott Morrison defence” suggesting that he could not reveal the identity of the Death Cult leader due to “operational matters.”
Leigh Sales, appearing dumbfounded at Mr Andrews’ response, suggested that it was not an issue of “operational matters” as the leader of ISIL is actually public knowledge.
Despite being asked four times, Defence Minister Andrews was unable to name Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who is widely as the leader of ISIL by Western countries and Islamic State supporters.
In his defence, the Defence Minister’s hair was a perfect shade of burgundy, which provided some distraction from the monumental gaffe.
With thanks to our exclusive sources, The Gutter Trash can reveal that Mr Andrew’s choice of hair colour is not in fact Grecian 2000 or Just for Men, but Clairol Nice n’ Easy ‘Natural Dark Burgundy.’
Clairol Nice n’ Easy ‘Natural Dark Burgundy layers rich tones and contouring highlights for natural looking colour in one simple step.
Nice n’ Easy, the natural choice of Australian Government ministers.
theguttertrash.com 
Clairol Nice n’ Easy ‘Natural Dark Burgundy.’
I’m not so sure about that!
I really cannot take this post seriously reb.
Perhaps some flags might help?
But, as to the lack of knowing a name, just another “pernicious” use of a gotcha in place of journalism … imo
But, the real question, did andrews use flags in his interspew? Without them, he just cannot be taken seriously
The Washington Post
Australia’s defense minister is unable to name the leader of the Islamic State:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/04/14/australias-defense-minister-is-unable-to-name-the-leader-of-the-islamic-state/
And the lefties are playing politics again.
If it was an ALP or Greens minister who did not know the name of the guy you people would not give a stuff.
In all my life i have never met a more deceitful, dishonest, uncaring, hateful, dishonest, immoral bunch of scum than the people who vote for the ALP or Greens.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ … @ you know who, even tho’ he doesn’t know who …
Yes i want to say it again
In all my life i have never met a more deceitful, dishonest, uncaring, hateful, dishonest, immoral bunch of scum than the people who vote for the ALP or Greens.
Costello made it look easy because he knew what he was doing. All the complaints about Costello could be easily fixed. But this is what Swan did
http://www.budget.gov.au/2013-14/content/overview/html/overview_41.htm
The Government has delivered $47 billion of tax cuts in our first four years since coming to office. In addition, we have provided further tax cuts as assistance for the cost of living impact of the carbon price from 2012‑13. Even after accounting for the small increase in the Medicare levy in 2014‑15 we will be delivering total tax cuts of around $20 billion a year over the next four years compared to the 2007‑08 tax scales.
Wayne Swan 2013
The ALP is a corrupt and immoral party elected by corrupt and immoral people.
I don’t know why people expect Kevin Andrews to know who the Caliphate is … I mean could Winston Churchill name Adolf Hitler?
Could Roosevelt name the Japanese leader Tojo …
And who in the USA or Australia would have known who Ho Chi Min was!
Typical ALP supporters laughing at the ignorance, nay, incompetence of the Liberal Ministers … I bet you wouldn’t laugh at the leader of the National Party like that … oh wait!
I mean could Winston Churchill name Adolf Hitler?
During WW1 or Two?
I understand that it is just another cheap gotcha, but, considering they are about send another 330 diggers into a warzone (well, near one) it does highlight some seeming avarice on his behalf.
I was listening to a podcast this morning, and it came up that the ministers offices are aligned so that they can easily see down the war memorial (or something like that) which was supposed to be a stark reminder for them should they be considering a war footing, and perhaps give them pause.
I get the feeling that for our current pm, it’s more like waving a red flag at a colour blind bull.
I also tremble with apprehension at just what kind of idiocies our inglorious pleader might utter on the centenary of the Gallipoli landing. Will Death Cult get a run?
Most Australians would have heard of Hitler.
How many Australians could tell the name of the leader of ISIS?
Just another gotcha from the most immoral of people- the supporters of the ALP and Greens.
“”How many Australians could tell the name of the leader of ISIS?””
How many Australians are the Minister of Defence?
Does it really matter. You lefties are just playing politics.
What matters is that our troops are looked after.
You lefties are using Australian soldiers for political purposes.
How many Australians are the Minister of Defence?
Just the two of them isn’t there 😉
Danny Nalliah
Clairol?
Poor Nill is off the meds again….. Defending the indefensible minister which apparently excludes said minister for defense actually knowing what adversary he is defending..as a press gotcha… Its all a bit Python…
… a warzone (well, near one)
It is one … Iraq is at war …
I also tremble with apprehension at just what kind of idiocies our inglorious pleader might utter on the centenary of the Gallipoli landing. Will Death Cult get a run?
We do wander along the same track occasionally, TR … only yesterday I said that of all the centenaries celebrated by Australia we stuck with the worst PM I could think of the demonstrate compassion and real understanding …
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What matters is that our troops are looked after.
And they AREN’T that’s a real issue … in fact it seems on anecdotal evidence at least that senior officers are being made redundant, particularly in the Reserves …
PTSD is very high for returning soldiers and suicides have risen dramatically …
Politicians have always been happy to get the photo op with troops about to deploy overseas … then often supply them with inadequate equipment and matériel to do the job and try to ignore the issues that they and their families have to deal with …
And of course the present government is happy to put Diggers in harm’s way but reduce their pay and conditions …
And of course the present government is happy to put Diggers in harm’s way but reduce their pay and conditions …
And over here in SA, we have our local Government closing down the Repatriation Hospital, and rightly copping a lot of flack for it.
But, if you looked past it, one would ask why is there a huge recalibration of the health system over here, which is slashing services and support everywhere.
This might be a clue?
http://www.businessinsider.com.au/these-two-budget-charts-show-how-much-money-joe-hockey-is-cutting-from-hospitals-and-schools-2014-5
The question Leigh Sales asked tells everybody who she votes for.
It was not a biggie but Andrews most probably should have known the answer.
But the bigger question is, would have Sales asked the same question to a Labor defence minister?
And the obvious is of course no.
She would have asked an ALP minister is, why are you so wonderful to be doing things like this.
Thank you Neil for your insightful analysis.
Despite constant mocking from your detractors (who are they anyway?), I for one, am grateful for your insightful analysis particularly when it comes to the motivations of journalists in asking questions of our elected MPs.
For far too long the general public, heck let’s call them riff raff ’cause that’s all they really are, have expected far too much from politicians, governor generals and the like.
That’s what’s wrong with society today.
There’s just no respect. What do you suggest we do about it Neil?
It’s all very well for you to lecture everyone from from your two bedroom apartment in Drummoyne about the ills of society and what you would do differently, but we here at Gutter Trash are keen to hear your alternative strategies rather than your constant whinging.
So let’s hear it, what do you propose to fix Australia’s economic “budget emergency?”
REb
I am all for hard questions by journalists.
But Sales is a partisian deadbeat. Just like Mark Riley. Have a look at this. It makes me sick.
I wonder who mark Riley votes for???
l put it all down to envy. Team-teabag is just jealous that more people prefer to join Team-death-cult instead of team-teabag.
Where’s Partisia?
Must be on the border of Bipartisia?
This grubmint is doing all it can to demolish our manufacturing. The core of Unionism? Why would that be I wonder?
Building naval warships in Australia costs 30% to 40% more than it does in comparable overseas shipyards, a government-commissioned review has found.
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/apr/16/building-naval-warships-costs-up-to-40-more-in-australia-than-overseas?CMP=share_btn_tw
Who could find that I wonder?
The government asked the US-based military research thinktank Rand Corporation to review Australia’s shipbuilding capabilities and the costs and benefits of government investment in the industry.
ROFL
After their recent reports into the automotive industry and renewables, which were worth less than the paper they printed on and about as accurate as drunk blind man with a spud gun, this report should be a corker. Was Dr Karl involved at all?
Mind you, getting way down to the bottom of the article, details start to come out
But it noted such a comparison “can be significantly influenced by foreign exchange rates” and “this premium could drop over time, however, with steady production drumbeats and mature designs”.
I wonder if the report has a scenario with the dollar where it is now?
US-based military research thinktank Rand Corporation
I’m surprised they didn’t ask Lockheed Martin … y’know with the success of the F 35 an’ all …
I think they call this “busted”!
Prime Minister Tony Abbott wanted to send Australia’s $50 billion new submarine construction project offshore to Japan towards the end of last year, a US defence thinktank inadvertently confirmed on Thursday.
http://www.afr.com/news/politics/tony-abbott-wanted-offshore-build-for-submarines-rand-review-told-20150416-1mm7jo
I’m surprised they didn’t ask Lockheed Martin … y’know with the success of the F 35 an’ all …
And what is your alternative?? Even you own lord and masters support the F35. It has bipartisan support.
Perhaps we should not have a military and save a lot of money. Perhaps if we need to have an airforce we should buy planes from the Chinese and Russians.
Just another gotcha from a journo who wants a headline…………………….what next Chris Bowen (ex Treasurer and now Shadow) being asked what the tax free threshold is ?
Kevin Andrews is a pretty poor performer. He must have a photo of someone in the LNP heirarchy f**king a goat or something.
He had social security before and did nothing then Scott Morrison moves in and puts a broom through the joint.
“I think they call this “busted”!…..”
A French alternative looks good. Anything but an SA boat built by bludgers from our 2nd worst basketcase state.
Rearrange the GST grants now. Bad economic decisions by South Australians and Tasmanians should not be rewarded by cross subsidies from other States and Territories
http://www.news.com.au/world/us-supercarrier-sunk-by-french-submarine-in-wargames/story-fndir2ev-1227250666936
Wow, so sinking a yank tank means good subs hey. Don’t know if you wanna go down that path wally 😉
And I guess you think WA deserves more hey?
“And I guess you think WA deserves more hey?”
Not decided. SA and Tas certainly deserve LESS……………..A LOT LESS
A LOT LESS
Any reasoning for that, or just your inate sense of fairness coming out there 😉
As for WA, here’s something to ponder
http://insidestory.org.au/the-true-story-of-western-australia-and-the-gst
“……..or just your inate sense of fairness coming out there ”
It’s the Vibe !
It’s the Vibe !
I think you spelt “Bribe” wrong there wally 😉
And what is your alternative?? Even you own lord and masters support the F35.
I have no lords nor masters just, The Minister for War, Water, Finance & Fun …
And I have criticised the F35 for far longer then 18 months!… try 13 years … it was ill conceived from the start …
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Why do some people of some Aussie states burble about the Aussie culture of “mateship” but can’t apply it to Aussie states not so well off …
Because they vote Liberal … boom, boom …
Stay Classy
he spat over GST has turned ugly as Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett says his state’s assistance during Black Saturday is a reason Victoria should not oppose a freeze to the west’s GST share.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/gst-barnett-invokes-black-saturday-help-20150416-1mmaym.html?stb=twt
What is it with libs using acts of kindness as future extortion?
And, it appears murdor is not happy with a vic road not going ahead.
Wasn’t the price around $330 mill yesterday, before hte lib inflation machine got hold of the figure?
“……….but can’t apply it to Aussie states not so well off … ”
Because some stuopid c**ts like SA and Tas vote for economic pain.
If they want to vote Left or Green the stupid c**ts can learn to live like Left/Green want them to.
Coming from a state that wouldn’t insure yourselves against Floods thats pretty rich coming from a stoopid northerner
erm, Wally, I’ve never actually been a member of the Queensland government … so I don’t influence their decisions …
… but, for your information I have flood cover – always have – we have to pay it … and strangely I live on a hill high enough to watch ships enter and leave Brisbane River from about 5ks away … if we go under Brisbane already has …
So who’s stupid?
So WTF is paying for all this?
http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/mh370-search-zone-may-be-expanded-truss/story-e6frfku9-1227306743623
limited-news””””””””””’On the final day of the exercise, the order finaly came. .. Sink the Theodore Roosevelt. .. This 30-year-old Saphir proceeded to do. Along with most of the escorting warships””””””
#viva la france 🙂 🙂 🙂
limited news””””””””’But rumours abound of similar significant victories by minor nations against the titanic icons of America`s naval might””””””’
#and to think one of those `minor` nations used collins-class canoes too .. #guffaw
Here’s one for Nil brains amnesia from planet partsia…
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2013/s3723490.htm
More delusion and lots more vitriol laced hatred
So WTF is paying for all this?
Or this?
The Abbott government found $4m for the climate contrarian Bjørn Lomborg to establish his “consensus centre” at an Australian university, even as it struggled to impose deep spending cuts on the higher education sector.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/17/abbott-government-gives-4m-to-help-climate-sceptic-set-up-australian-centre?CMP=share_btn_tw
Yep, cuts to a world leading, non partisan CSIRO, and splurge on a VERY partisan “consensus centre” to push their agenda
Although, apparently he has around $3 billion from Vic roads floating around 😉
Good follow up on yabot getting busted yesterday for his slimy deal with the Japanese on subs
lol Ricky. I wonder is sales looks back and wonders just what her fuss was all about. I mean, one promise, which many are now saying wasn’t ever even broken ROFL
LEIGH SALES: But Prime Minister, you’re not addressing my central problem there, which was that there was a broken promise …
JULIA GILLARD: Well, I’m not agreeing with your list, Leigh.
LEIGH SALES: No, no, there was a broken promise there and there is a long list of initiatives that the Government has introduced that have been failures or have not come to fruition.
Yea nIls, the media are all Labor sympathisers. You raise the bar on stoopid on a daily basis
they would have been totally lost on reportland if mr-rabbit hadn`t pointed out to sales how untruthful joo`liar` was
Sales and Ferguson attack virtually everyone, which is precisely their job. Being leftists, sometimes they don’t pick up on the stupidity of ALP and Green assertions, but overall the do a good job. Chris Uhlmann did a great take-down of arse-clown Bob Brown who couldn’t even remember what he had written in his article in The Australian. First he denied it and then he blamed the evil Murdoch.
OTOH, Tony Jones, in recent times at least, seems more interested in cultivating his own image – as Wanker-in-Chief of the Monday Night Circle-Jerk.
I recall that there’s a little more context around Julia Gillard’s “no carbon tax” pledge than Tom R notes.
A little of that context – Gillard-
• Knifed Rudd (then still an incredibly popular PM), because he’s lost his way over a few issues including the ETS
• Abandoned the ETS and ruled out a carbon tax
• Sought to neutralise the issue by committing to spend the next term “building community consensus” on the issue
• Committed to a big representative committee to help build the community consensus
• Said an emissions reduction policy would fail without community consensus
So… we get 149 out of 150 members of the House of Representatives elected on the basis of not having a carbon tax. One single MP is elected that specifically supports a carbon tax.
So what do we get??? A carbon tax.
I don’t think that’s just a single commitment Gillard broke.
I used to be very angry about Gillard’s broken Carbon Tax promise. It just seemed so cynical. But those were more innocent times. Now cynical lying is business as usual in Australian politics.
” Now cynical lying is business as usual in Australian politics.”
I think that has been happening for a long time.
What has not changed also is that Labor parties stuff the budget and increase our debt. The Coalition has a better record in fixing huge debts racked up by the ALP.
Abandoned the ETS and ruled out a carbon tax
See, this is where you fall down. Gillard committed to an ETS, not a Carbon Tax. As many now admit, we got an ETS, not a Carbon tax. You do recall the “Carbon Price Pledge” made on the eve of election, then forgotten by those reporting after. 😉
But history has never been your strong point.
btw, how’s that political party you were urging people to donate to going?
“……Gillard committed to an ETS, not a Carbon Tax…………”
LOL……………….really ?
“I don’t think our actions on the carbon tax were right and I changed it … We didn’t have a mandate for it.”
– Kevin Rudd
“We will have a temporary carbon tax and then a permanent emissions trading scheme”
– Julia Gillard
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s3263582.htm
– Julia Gillard
lol, months after she’d thrown in the white towel and said she’s not going to argue the terminology anymore.
Her biggest mistake. But doesn’t change the fact. Even Rudds “ETS” had a “Carbon Tax” component. It was just NEVER called that. A Carbon Tax was a different animal, before the election.
But, this is all old news. Even IF you call it a lie, it pales into comparison with the outright mendacity we have witnessed in this parliament. And the outrage within the media has paled in the other direction.
Business as usual now.
” See, this is where you fall down. Gillard committed to an ETS, not a Carbon Tax”
Really? Gillard spent the entire campaign allaying concerns that she would introduce one.
She said she wouldn’t introduce it without community consensus, as if would fail without this. She said she would spend the term building this consensus.
Gillard outlined a range of policies to take the political heat out of the issue. She abandoned every one of them.
One (that’s 1, 0r 0.75%) out of 150 MPs was elected who specifically committed to a carbon tax, so Gillard broke all those commitments and introduced it.
That was a huge breach, it wasn’t simply breaking a single promise.
So, you admit now that Gillard did not abandon plans to introduce an ETS before the election yomm, in direct contrast to your above statement.
It was Labor policy, so not sure where your 0/75% comes from. Same place as your previous statement I guess 😉
There was a single (Greens) MP who was elected on the unequivocal commitment. Every other MP stood on platform that was opposed (Lib/Nats) or (with the most generous interpretation) subject to specific conditions, timing and restrictions (ALP)
In that deal, Greens MP is the only politician who acted in accordance with their commitment to the electorate .
Out of 150 MPs only Adam Bandt came out without a horrible odour, and obviously I’m no fan of the Greens.
with the most generous interpretation
ROFL
Says the guy backing away (with the most generous interpretation) 😉
Perhaps you could just explain exactly which of Gillard’s commitments on a carbon tax she kept?
• Building “community consensus?
• The big representative committee?
• Spending most of her term consulting and building consensus?
• No carbon tax?
The only bit she got right was when she said – “without community consensus, the policy will fail”.
Perhaps you could just explain exactly which of Gillard’s commitments on a carbon tax she kept?
I’ll go with the one where she said “I don’t rule out the possibility of legislating a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, a market-based mechanism,” 😉
Well Tom R, that’s a HUGE concession from you!
You agree that Gillard broke her commitments on –
• Price not tax
• Consultation process and community committee
• Building community consensus over the term of government
• Not acting until near the end of the term
Finally you have acknowledged that Gillard broke her word!!
yomm = YAAAAAAWN
When it comes to once again, returning to their vomit, `our` prize mutt shows us once again, how it is done,
+
yawn””””””””’we get 149 out of 150 members of the House of Representatives elected on the `basis of not` having a carbon tax””””””””’
#this is horse-shit, 150 hor members were elected(#fact), by their electorate(#fact), on the `basis of not` ride unicorns around the chamber(#fiction)
#weasel-wording on the `basis of not`, is pure bullshit, used by the unhinged limited-news and dullards like yawn that swallow it, while ignoring the very-real `fact` joolya successfully with negotiated FOUR others to form govt, (wilkie oakshot bandt windsor) from under the nose of the mr-rabbit imbecile(#fact)
#remaining bitter and unhinged as limited-news and yawn do, is more of a display of how shallow the thinking and understanding of complex issues is, by those not privy to all the details. Those still screaming about the `much-fewer` broken `promises` of the previous govt show themselves to be true imbeciles, while they ignore `nearly-all` promises broken by `their` boy.
#but don`t bother gloating too much cheerers of the other team. Abdicating from regulating and governing, and allowing free-market `trading-scams` and `tax-fiddles` will not provide any environmental protections.