The Labor Party and Kevin Rudd made much ado when self confessed terrorist David Hicks was imprisoned by Americans at Guantanamo Bay but has remained nonchalant about the plight of imprisoned Rio Tino executive Stern Hu. Is anyone else sickened by Rudd’s ‘who gives a hoot’ approach to the worrying imprisonment of a senior Australian Businessman?

My parents escaped the terror of communism to give my family a fair go here in Australia. I write about my parent’s plight at the hand of communists in my book, Her Secret. How could it be that a ‘free thinking’ Australian government would blindly abandon one of its own to a communist government yet protest so loudly at a terrorist being held by a democratic nation such as the US?

One would think that since Mr Rudd touted so loudly, in Mandarin, his Sino credentials before the last Federal Election he would have a direct line to the Communist leaders who could set Hu free. We now learn that Rudd repulses the Chinese and the Chinese phones maybe switched to silent.
Even perennial Chinese sycophant Paul Keating has taken a dig at Rudd’s rude and un-couth approach to Asian relations. Among other things, Rudd’ bombastic approach to establishing an EU style grouping for Asia got many noses out of joint in our region.

There is talk in diplomatic circles of Rudd's difficult nature and growing Chinese frustration at the arrogant way Rudd conducts himself. Some suggest the Chinese preferred John Howard to Kevin Rudd.

Let’s face it, Rudd only jumped on the Hicks bandwagon after the left leaning GetUp group rabbited on about the terrorist’s plight at the hands of ‘nasty’ Americans and then subsequently stirred our populace into action. Where’s GetUp now? Are they only stirred by the plight of poor terrorists and war criminals?

The Hu case is worrying. Right now Chinese authorities may be torturing one of our citizens and Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith merely says, ‘This is matter is for the Chinese Government’. Wrong Mr Smith, dead wrong. The Hu case is everything about Australia and confidence in the Sino-Australia trading relationship.

If this short term Government has a shred of credibility in the claim that it’s closer to China than its predecessors now’s the time to show the strength of their ‘special’ relationship. What is at stake is confidence in our greatest trading partner not to interfere with the human rights of our citizens. If business confidence diminishes then bi-lateral doors will close faster then they’ve been opening.

Failure to provide a swift release of Hu will be evidence of Rudd mis-handling of Australia’s most delicate foreign relationship.
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Written by Hajnal Ban (www.hajnalban.com)
AUTHOR: Hajnal Ban, Her Secret
Hajnal's explosive story gripped Australia and gained international attention. Prepare yourself for what you didn't hear in the interviews. Read how Hajnal over came her darkest moments that almost ended her life. Learn how she turned herself around to become an inspiring role model who exudes confidence, elegance and style. Hajnal frequently updates her blog and publishes a regular newsletter. To purchase her book and/or subscribe to her newsletter follow this link.