(10/06/09) -

Australians Agree with Beazley, Nelson Appointments

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many people in Australia approve of recent appointments to two important embassies, according to a poll by Essential Research. 54 per cent of respondents agree with former Australian Labor Party (ALP) leader Kim Beazley becoming ambassador to the United States.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many people in Australia approve of recent appointments to two important embassies, according to a poll by Essential Research. 54 per cent of respondents agree with former Australian Labor Party (ALP) leader Kim Beazley becoming ambassador to the United States.

Additionally, 49 per cent of respondents approve of the appointment of former Liberal Party leader Brendan Nelson as ambassador to the European Union (EU), Belgium and Luxembourg. Nelson will also be Australia’s special representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

On Sept. 17, ALP leader and Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd made the announcements, saying, "These two men have represented Australia at the highest level. Both have been defence ministers in the cabinet, both have led their parties and both have earned the respect and the trust of the Australian people."

Beazley thanked Rudd for his appointment, adding, "I had not realized until this morning that Brendan was about to join me and I do congratulate him. He has got a multiplicity of jobs. I have one. This is just about the toughest ambassadorial job that we have. China I suppose is up there with it."

Polling Data

Do you approve or disapprove of the appointment of former ALP leader Kim Beazley as Ambassador to the USA?

Do you approve or disapprove of the appointment of former Liberal leader Brendan Nelson as Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg?

Source: Essential Research
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,293 Australian adults, conducted from Sept. 22 to Sept. 27, 2009. No margin of error was provided.