Malcolm Turnbull claims ‘not my job’ as other world leaders speak out

German Chancellor Angela Merkel outlined the Geneva Convention over the phone to Donald Trump, in response to the US President’s executive order banning those from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States.

She later told a press conference that a “general suspicion against people of a certain belief” is against her “interpretation of the basic tenets of international refugee support and cooperation.”

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau tweeted that “diversity is our strength”, and suggested his country would be willing to help refugees affected.  

#WelcomeToCanada pic.twitter.com/47edRsHLJ5

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 28, 2017

Following Trudeau’s lead when he tweeted the hashtag #WelcomeToCanada, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted #WelcometoScotland too.

For those asking my view on US State visit: would be wrong for it to go ahead while bans on refugees & citizens of some countries in place.

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 29, 2017

Sweden’s Margot Wallstrom said she’s “deeply concerned about US decision not to allow entry of people from certain countries,” adding that it, “Creates mistrust between people.”

France’s foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said that: “Terrorism knows no nationality. Discrimination is no response.”

Italian PM Paolo Gentiloni said that the “pillars of Europe” were based on “open society, plural identity, no discrimination.”

While UK PM Theresa May refused to immediately condemn the ban, she did at least note that she did “not agree” with it, and pushed for her government to intervene on behalf of Britons affected.  

And while New Zealand PM Bill English also took his time to respond, he has now stated that New Zealand would not implement such a policy and “we don’t agree with it.”

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull? He told reporters yesterday that it’s ‘not my job’ to comment on the policy.

Not. My. Job. Not. My. Fault. Nothing to do with me. Nothing to see here. Next. Question. Please. 

“It is not my job as Prime Minister of Australia to run a commentary on the domestic policies of other countries, he told reporters yesterday.

If an official elected to the most powerful position in the country can’t take a stand and have a voice on an action that has direct consequences on people all over the world, including Australians, then what exactly is his job?

This is a defining point in world history. It’s here that world leaders will determine their legacy. What will Turnbull’s be?