02 August 11 - 21:08Australia to send first asylum-seekers to Malaysia
A boatload of asylum-seekers intercepted in Australian waters on Sunday will be the first sent to Malaysia under a controversial new swap deal, Australian officials said.
The boat was spotted by aircraft near Scott Reef, off Australia's northwest coast, Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said in a statement. A spokeswoman told Reuters it was the first boat intercepted since the deal with Malaysia was signed on July 25.
"The passengers will be taken to Christmas Island for pre-transfer assessments, pending removal to Malaysia," O'Connor said in the statement.
The boat is thought to be carrying 54 asylum-seekers and two crew members.
The deal with Malaysia followed several months of talks between the countries. Australia will accept 4,000 asylum-seekers already in Malaysia whose claims have been processed, in return for Malaysia taking 800 unprocessed asylum-seekers from Australia. ...
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16 September 10 - 09:19Gillard sworn-in as Australian prime minister
Julia Gillard was sworn in Tuesday as Australia's first elected female prime minister.
"I, Julia Eileen Gillard, do solemnly and sincerely affirm and declare that I will well and truly serve the Commonwealth of Australia, her land and her people in the office of prime minister," she said, as she accepted the oath of office from Governor General Quentin Bryce at Government House in Canberra.
Two independent lawmakers from rural Australia broke a parliamentary deadlock last week, paving the way for Gillard to formally return to office.
Among the ministers who will serve in her Cabinet is the man she overthrew in June: Kevin Rudd as foreign affairs minister.
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20 January 10 - 13:14Australia opposition opens election fight on climate
CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australia's conservative opposition has opened its campaign for this year's elections, targeting the environment as a key battleground in its attempt to stop Prime Minister Kevin Rudd gaining a second term.
But while new conservative opposition leader Tony Abbott released a series of green initiatives, he stopped short of announcing a key climate change policy -- prompting one environment group on Friday to accuse him of "cheap political opportunism".
Abbott is seen by many voters as a climate change skeptic after becoming opposition leader last December on the back of opposing the government's climate change policy of a carbon emissions trading scheme.
"Australia should be a good international citizen and play our part in any effective international campaign to reduce the risk of man-made climate change," Abbott said late on Thursday, kicking of a series of speeches he hopes will dent strong support for Rudd's Labor government ahead of expected polls ...
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05 November 09 - 17:06Politics of Global
Jose Manuel
Barroso Presidente da Comissão Europeia desde Novembro de 2004. The 12th
President of the European Commission. Jose Manuel Barroso is ready for your
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George W. Bush Former
President of the United States of America. George W. Bush is ready for your
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Pope Benedict XVI
The 265th and reigning Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the
spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Benedict XVI is ready for your
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31 July 09 - 09:34The popularity of politicians in Australia
Australian politician, the current Leader of the Opposition in the Australian Parliament, and parliamentary leader of the Liberal Party.
Australian politician, and leader of the National Party.
Former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and former leader of the National Party of Australia. ...
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31 July 09 - 09:30Politics events
Popularity Australia I like Australia. ElectionsMeter is intended for the world´s public to express personal affections and free opinion of every person towards politics and politicians.
Political situation in Australia Click, if you are satisfied with the political ...
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31 July 09 - 09:27Political parties and Australian politics
Australian Labor Party Australian Labor Party is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
National Party of Australia National Party of Australia is ready for your opinion, support and vote. Vote online NOW!
Family First Party (Australia) Family First Party is ready for your opinion, support ...
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