UK citizens are right to raise concerns about the appointment of the former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott as an official trade adviser (Report, 4 September). Boris Johnson notes that Abbott was elected by the “great liberal democratic nation of Australia”, but he fails to note that Abbott broke almost every election promise he made, except his promise to remove the carbon tax that was actually working to reduce Australia’s CO2 emissions.
Abbott is renowned for making claims that appeal to his supporters, such as that the science behind climate change is “absolute crap”, but seems to rarely base his actions on evidence. It is likely that Abbott’s climate stance contributed to the Australian government ignoring pleas from fire chiefs for more resources to combat what was predicted to be a disastrous fire season in 2019, resulting in Australia’s worst fires in living memory, a consequence of climate change.
It was even more galling that Abbott was given Australia’s top honours for his work with indigenous communities, given that he axed half a billion dollars from activities aimed at helping our First Nations people.
To take Australia’s top job on a litany of lies was an arrogant abuse of the democratic process, and it was unsurprising that he was deposed in an internal coup less than two years later. Given China’s economic retaliation against Australia for expressing concern about their political motives, Australia is keen for new trade deals. Anyone could do this job. Tony Abbott is the last person you need.
Dr Tim Davis
Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
• As an Australian who has had to endure Tony Abbott’s contributions to politics for 25 years, I’m astounded to read that someone in the UK – the health secretary, Matt Hancock – suggested he was an “expert in trade”. His ministerial roles were in the Howard government, all domestic portfolios: minister for employment services; minister for employment, workplace relations and small business; and minister for health and ageing.
He then spent time in opposition, ultimately becoming the Liberal party leader, which led to him becoming prime minister when the Coalition won government in the 2013 election. Aside from two years as PM, he has never held an international ministerial portfolio or trade role, and I can’t recall any international trade deals being negotiated while he was PM. So what’s made people think he’s an expert on trade?
Don Dryley
Greensborough, Victoria, Australia
• In light of his diminished standing in his own party and the country, perhaps it’s not Tony Abbott’s experience of trade negotiations that Boris Johnson is hoping to learn from, but rather his experience of being ditched as prime minister and party leader in his first term in office.
David Wall
Northampton
• Connoisseurs of the wit and wisdom of Tony Abbott still cherish the speech he gave a few years ago in which he said: “No one, however smart … is the suppository of all wisdom.” Now, thanks to YouTube, we can all share this penetrating insight. Fundamentally, his finest hour.
Michael Zagor
London
• Is anyone else wondering why Tony Abbott would cross the world to take up an unpaid position as a trade adviser for our government?
Andrew Lamkowski
Taunton, Somerset
