Good News From Down Under

While we were digesting our turkey and stuffing, Australians were heading to the polls to vote in their national election. The big news-- as expected-- is that conservative Prime Minister John Howard (Bush supporter, global warming denialist) has been swept out of power. Labor Party leader Kevin Rudd will be the new Prime Minister.

"Today Australia has looked to the future. Today the Australian people have decided that we as a nation will move forward ... to embrace the future, together to write a new page in our nation's history," Rudd said in victory. Howard gave a gracious concession, stating "The Australian people are the greatest people on earth and this is the greatest country on earth."

What does this mean for us? Well-

Rudd said he would withdraw Australia's 550 combat troops from Iraq, leaving twice that number in mostly security roles. Howard had said all the troops will stay as long as needed.

However, a new government is unlikely to mean a major change in Australia's foreign relations, including with the United States — its most important security partner — or with Asia, which is increasingly important for the economy.

But one of the biggest changes will be in Australia's approach to climate change. Rudd has nominated the issue as his top priority, and promises to immediately sign the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions.

When he does so, the United States will stand alone as the only industrialized country not to have signed the pact.

The rest of the world is moving (relatively) forward. We are stuck in the past.

I agree with what Bill Maher said last year... "America must stop bragging that it's the greatest country on Earth, and start acting like it." All over the world, people are looking to the future. And we are stuck having arguments (on climate change, health care, etc) other first-world nations settled long ago. I congratulate my Australian friends (yes, I have one!) and hope our election results next year will be as encouraging.