because he couldn't afford the fee.


Quote:

Alexander Downer Emails raise questions over Downer's lobbying for jailed Australians Foreign Correspondent By Eric Campbell An email exchange obtained by the ABC has raised more questions about the involvement of former foreign minister Alexander Downer in the case of two Australian property executives jailed in Dubai. The ABC's Foreign Correspondent program revealed last night that Mr Downer, while working as a consultant for hire, had written to the country's Crown Prince in 2009 seeking bail for one of the Australians, Matt Joyce. The approach involved a negotiation of a success fee, estimated at $60,000. Controversially his letter - delivered by the Australian Embassy - made no mention of the other Australian defendant, Marcus Lee, who says he was ignored because he could not afford the fee. Mr Downer has said that he was not aware of Mr Lee's case, but an email exchange obtained by the ABC suggests Mr Downer's firm had been specifically requested to lobby on behalf of both Australians.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-02/imprisoned-australian-lashes-out-at-alexander-downer/5362226

And this nice person has just been rewarded with a cushy post as ambassador in London.

polite_gandalf wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 6:49pm:

The approach involved a negotiation of a success fee, estimated at $60,000. Controversially his letter - delivered by the Australian Embassy - made no mention of the other Australian defendant, Marcus Lee, who says he was ignored because he could not afford the fee.

At least Downer has stuck to his capitalist principles in life after politics.

...btw it was an Emirates prison not Saudi.

Good to know that our newest Ambassador is there to look after all Australians ... imagine if they had chosen one who only looked after his own interests instead?  ::) ::) ::) ::)

True Colours wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 6:58pm:

btw it was an Emirates prison not Saudi.

thanks - title has been fixed  :)

Mr Downer said he was not specifically aware of Mr Lee's case, but the firm Downer is employed by had been requested to lobby on behalf of both Australians. It's fair to assume that Downer was told about Mr Joyce but not Mr Lee. Downer has done nothing wrong - he did what he was paid to do. Go cry over something else, Leftards.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2014 at 7:26am:

It's fair to assume that Downer was told about Mr Joyce but not Mr Lee

its fair to assume you have no idea what you are on about. ;D ;D ;D

You just said his firm was his firm was requested to represent both ... the only logical assumption is that he knew of both.

John Smith wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2014 at 8:49am:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Apr 3rd, 2014 at 7:26am: It's fair to assume that Downer was told about Mr Joyce but not Mr Lee its fair to assume you have no idea what you are on about. ;D ;D ;D You just said his firm was his firm was requested to represent both ... the only logical assumption is that he knew of both.

... and Downer does as he's told by the firm he is employed by. He isn't Foreign Minister anymore and isn't responsible for every Australian in prison abroad. He does his job and that's it, especially when it comes to dealing with the Royal family over there. I guess you don't have a job, or else you'd understand that.