Good evening Stuart,
After seeing the chaos that APEC is causing in Sydney on Channel Nine News tonight, I have come to the conclusion that APEC would have been much better off in Canberra, not because it is the home of parliament, but because the city is more suited to hosting such an event.
For example, the Chinese president spent a day here before flying to Sydney, he had a police escort and a couple road blocks were set up for him. Traffic was almost unaffected, whereas in Sydney, one street was shut down and the buses were backed up across the harbour bridge.
George Bush visited Canberra briefly a few years ago, causing the closure of a few main roads. It was an inconvenience and traffic flow was disrupted, but due to the way Canberra is planned, delays were minimal, most people weren't affected, and alternative routes were easy to use.
Canberra would also require a bit less security work for a number of reasons, not the least of which is our inland location.
I can understand that Sydney is more marketable as the host of APEC than Canberra is, but logistically, everyone would be much better off if APEC were being held down here. I feel sorry for all of you that are suffering in Sydney.
Regards,
Samuel Gordon-Stewart
Canberra
P.S. Please send my best wishes to Charity. She was admitted to hospital rather urgently this afternoon on the advice of her GP.
Comments Disabled To "APEC Should Have Been Held In Canberra"
#1 Comment By Tony On September 5, 2007 @ 9:05 pm
It all reminds me of that classic Doris Day song.
I love you a BUSHell and APECk
A BUSHell and APECk
and a terrorist round your neck.
I don’t understand APEC weren’t they a funiture removal company?
Or was that Ipec?
Seems like just another excuse for a free piss up.
I think George Bush would make a great Australian, wonder if he can say dinkum and cobber and she’s a beaut lookin’ sheila?
#2 Comment By davky On September 6, 2007 @ 4:41 am
I’m a confirmed heterosexual male but I found George W Bush kinda cute and quirky in a charming way.
#3 Comment By Mr-Pappadappadopolis On September 6, 2007 @ 10:23 am
Faith, Hope, and Charity- that’s the way to live successfully.
#4 Comment By David-H-Eastwood On September 6, 2007 @ 6:19 pm
Hold APEC in Canberra ? Over my dead body ! !
#5 Comment By VK On September 8, 2007 @ 10:07 pm
i reckon they should of held it on one of the islands around australia, would of been way better for security and wouldn’t annoy business’ as much in sydney cbd. They still have to pay rent and there no compensation from the government. On the central coast are shops have been flooded with visitors over this weekend, all sydney people getting out and going on a small holiday.
I also reckon howard wanted it in sydney so he could show of darling harbour to the country leaders that hadn’t been here before.
#6 Comment By Tony On September 10, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
Why isn’t the APEC meetings shown on television?
I don’t mind drunken fights and anything is better than that stupid wrestling.
Imagine seeing world leaders doing battle in the boardroom, if that was the case Hulk Hogan or big Arnie would be President of the US.
Who could we get as a leader to wrestle the world leaders?
Any thoughts on that Samuel?
#7 Comment By Clayton Northcutt On September 10, 2007 @ 7:31 pm
Physical altercations between world leaders is a pretty stupid idea.
#8 Comment By Tony On September 10, 2007 @ 9:15 pm
No dumber than wrestling Clayton but millions watch it.
#9 Comment By Pen 15 On September 11, 2007 @ 9:44 pm
Clayton, you obviously arent a fan of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Two Tribes”!
#10 Comment By Tony On September 15, 2007 @ 7:18 pm
No Pen you have it wrong, it’s when two songs sound the same mix them up for another one.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood songs sounded the same.
Remix, go for it, when you wanna make a profit
Remix, go for it, when you wanna con
When you wanna con.
Con.