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Australian embassy reviews US 'mateship' campaign that featured only white men Australian embassy reviews US 'mateship' campaign that featured only white men
(about 2 hours later)
The Australian embassy in the United States has retracted a campaign of “mateship” designed to highlight friendship between the two countries after 15 “patrons” it chose were all male and white.The Australian embassy in the United States has retracted a campaign of “mateship” designed to highlight friendship between the two countries after 15 “patrons” it chose were all male and white.
The ambassador, Joe Hockey, responded to criticism of the monotone board by apologising and agreeing that it “should be fixed”.The ambassador, Joe Hockey, responded to criticism of the monotone board by apologising and agreeing that it “should be fixed”.
Hockey wrote on Twitter that he accepted “responsibility” for the campaign and that “only all former presidents, PMs and ambassadors from both countries were originally invited”, including Julia Gillard.Hockey wrote on Twitter that he accepted “responsibility” for the campaign and that “only all former presidents, PMs and ambassadors from both countries were originally invited”, including Julia Gillard.
However, the list of 15 released on Wednesday to mark US Independence Day did not include Gillard, a distinguished fellow at the US Brookings Institution as well as a former prime minister.However, the list of 15 released on Wednesday to mark US Independence Day did not include Gillard, a distinguished fellow at the US Brookings Institution as well as a former prime minister.
The former US president, Barack Obama, was also excluded, although the ambassador he appointed to Australia, John Berry, was among the 15. It also included one sportsman, the Australian basketballer Matthew Dellavedova, and the former Liberal party leader and US ambassador Andrew Peacock.The former US president, Barack Obama, was also excluded, although the ambassador he appointed to Australia, John Berry, was among the 15. It also included one sportsman, the Australian basketballer Matthew Dellavedova, and the former Liberal party leader and US ambassador Andrew Peacock.
Prominent Australian sportspeople in the US such as Ben Simmons – recently named NBA rookie of the year – and Liz Jackson, a four-time Olympic basketball medallist, were absent. Prominent Australian sportspeople in the US such as Ben Simmons – recently named NBA rookie of the year – and Lauren Jackson, a four-time Olympic basketball medallist, were absent.
Hockey said Dellavedova was the first non-political patron to respond to the invitation and that more people were being invited.Hockey said Dellavedova was the first non-political patron to respond to the invitation and that more people were being invited.
the only people i want to see on the @dfat patrons of mateship list pic.twitter.com/z2nkIrlck0the only people i want to see on the @dfat patrons of mateship list pic.twitter.com/z2nkIrlck0
The embassy said the “mateship program” aimed to highlight “Australia’s strong military alliance with the United States over the past 100 years in the lead up to the centenary of the battle of Hamel on 4 July 2018”.The embassy said the “mateship program” aimed to highlight “Australia’s strong military alliance with the United States over the past 100 years in the lead up to the centenary of the battle of Hamel on 4 July 2018”.
“Mateship” between Australia and the US, the embassy said on its website, was “forged in battle” and was “the bedrock of a unique contemporary relationship across many shared fields of endeavour”.“Mateship” between Australia and the US, the embassy said on its website, was “forged in battle” and was “the bedrock of a unique contemporary relationship across many shared fields of endeavour”.
This is appalling. Aust's US embassy has selected 15 'Patrons of Mateship' to highlight the 🇺🇸-🇦🇺 r'ship. It's 15 men, 0 women. What this 15x🚹 #manel actually highlights? Influential parts of our foreign policy/security community still don't value gender & cultural diversity pic.twitter.com/xNj0IQoAd6This is appalling. Aust's US embassy has selected 15 'Patrons of Mateship' to highlight the 🇺🇸-🇦🇺 r'ship. It's 15 men, 0 women. What this 15x🚹 #manel actually highlights? Influential parts of our foreign policy/security community still don't value gender & cultural diversity pic.twitter.com/xNj0IQoAd6
The list included politicians from both sides of Australian and US politics including Malcolm Turnbull, former prime ministers Kevin Rudd and John Howard, and former US presidents Jimmy Carter and George HW Bush (but not George W Bush).The list included politicians from both sides of Australian and US politics including Malcolm Turnbull, former prime ministers Kevin Rudd and John Howard, and former US presidents Jimmy Carter and George HW Bush (but not George W Bush).
Hockey retracted the list after the Guardian contacted the foreign affairs department.Hockey retracted the list after the Guardian contacted the foreign affairs department.
A spokesman for the department said later in a statement: “DFAT is reviewing the mateship program run by ambassador Hockey so that it aligns with our commitment to ensure balance, and reflects the diversity of Australia and the United States.”A spokesman for the department said later in a statement: “DFAT is reviewing the mateship program run by ambassador Hockey so that it aligns with our commitment to ensure balance, and reflects the diversity of Australia and the United States.”
The 15 people on the original list wereThe 15 people on the original list were
Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and former PMs Kevin Rudd and John HowardAustralian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and former PMs Kevin Rudd and John Howard
former US presidents George HW Bush and Jimmy Carterformer US presidents George HW Bush and Jimmy Carter
former opposition leaders and Australian ambassadors to the US Kim Beazley and Andrew Peacockformer opposition leaders and Australian ambassadors to the US Kim Beazley and Andrew Peacock
former US ambassadors to Australia John Berry, Tom Scheiffer and Melvin Semblerformer US ambassadors to Australia John Berry, Tom Scheiffer and Melvin Sembler
former senior Australian public servants Michael Thawley and Don Russellformer senior Australian public servants Michael Thawley and Don Russell
former US public servants Michael Cook and FR Dalrympleformer US public servants Michael Cook and FR Dalrymple
Australian basketballer Matthew DellavedovaAustralian basketballer Matthew Dellavedova
Australia newsAustralia news
Julia GillardJulia Gillard
John HowardJohn Howard
newsnews
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