From the Australian abc news Feb 12th
Federal Opposition Leader has again warned the US ambassador to stop meddling in Australian politics
Ambassador Tom Schieffer has accused Labor of fostering anti-Americanism.
Ambassador Schieffer has outraged Labor backbenchers like Warren Snowden.
"We will not be harassed, we will not be bullied and we will not be stood over by Mr Schieffer or anyone else," he said.
Fellow backbencher Laurie Brereton says it is a huge breach of diplomatic protocol that demands a response from the US Government.
"I haven't seen an intervention such as this since then-ambassador Walter Rice in the Nixon administration publicly attacked the Whitlam Government after we criticised the carpet bombing of North Vietnam in December 1972," he said.
"These remarks constitute a huge breach of diplomatic protocol. It's my view he should be immediately recalled to Washington and counselled."
The Labor leader, Simon Crean, agrees that counselling is appropriate.
"He has to be strongly warned that it is off-limits for a US ambassador to interfere in the domestic politics of Australia and to seek to influence what the Australian Labor Party's position is," he said.
Mr Crean plans to deliver that message himself in a face-to-face meeting with the ambassador.
Greens back ALP
Australian Greens leader Bob Brown says he agrees with Labor's Laurie Brereton that the US ambassador has overstepped the mark and should be recalled to Washington.
"The ambassador, I think, owes the Labor Party an apology and that may heal the matter but if he can't and he wants to continue down that track then he should review his stay in our country," he said.
