Treaties are not deals

January 20, 2026

It’s good that James Curren's advice is “in the aether” as Government and its Prime Minister ponder a replacement in Washington. But what he writes about the US change suggests that the Prime Minister is now in an extremely awkward position. I refer to Trump’s “invitation” to him (and to the NZ PM as well) to be part of the delusionary “riviera” Peace Team for Gaza.

No, it might just be worthwhile for the Australian Government and our PM not to bother too much about a Washington replacement at this time. Let it be a low priority task that can be considered later on, maybe next year … An appointment right away would need to be an extraordinary person who was capable of defending the Government’s support for a decision from the Socceroos to threaten withdrawal from the FIFA world cup later this year, and thereby joining the threatened boycott of the tournament that will go ahead if FIFA President Gianni Infantino doesn’t cancel the FIFA peace prize to the war monger who is occupying the White House.

Nous sommes le Groenland.