Street Confrontations at Melbourne G20 Protest

AFter the protests the Australian Treasurer, Mr Peter Costello, who is the "Prime Minister-in-waiting" despatched a thinly veiled threat against protesters who were "on benefits or scholarships". "I wonder if these protesters are on benefits or scholarships".

Mr Costello has a reputation for big-talkin-threats. His behaviour in the Australian Parliament is litany of insults, verbal-attacks and ridicule. Unfortunately, supporters of such people tend to mimic their behaviour and by a process of transition the behaviours are also mimicked by students at schools. Thus Mr Costello is virtually a model for schoolyard bullying behaviour which is endemic in Australian schools and destroys the hope and self-esteem of so many young people.

Mr Costello's strategy is to focus on a peculiarity or fraility of his victim and to then launch a veritable tirade of ridicule and humiliation.
He only does this, however, when under heavy protection. At University (Monash) Peter Costello was a frightened figure, often running in the open to avoid discussion and questions about his political beliefs. His fear was perhaps that he would meet someone more dangerous than himself.

The inflammatory remarks of the Treasurer fail to take into consideration the relationship between a University and its students. A University cares for its students as a Mother cares for her children. In a world of injustice and violence students need to know that their University will not punish them for openly speaking out about their beliefs.

All in all, Mr. Peter Costello, who may soon become an ally to the USA war machine, shows all the attributes of a bully and would be quite a dangerous leader.