LIBERAL frontbencher George Brandis has taken a swipe at the former Foreign Minister
Alexander Downer declaring he has "had his time" and it is a little known Queensland
Senator who is the pre-eminent foreign policy expert in the Coalition.

Intervening in the row between Mr Downer and Queensland Senator Russell Trood, who has criticised
the previous government’s policy on Iraq and climate change, Mr Brandis has backed the right of Senator
Trood to speak out.

The Australian Online revealed yesterday Mr Downer had blasted Senator Trood in an angry phone call
after reports emerged of his new policy review that criticises the previous government. Senator Brandis
said today Mr Downer should back off.

“People who served in the previous government, who have indicated their intention to leave the
parliament, one might think perhaps they've had their time," he said.

"It's not their role now to try and constrain, or stifle new voices who want to reassess the Liberal Party's
future."

Senator Brandis also said Senator Trood was the pre-eminent foreign policy expert, bar none. Asked if he
included Mr Downer in that equation, he did not answer and walked off.

“Senator Trood is the pre-eminent foreign policy expert in the Parliament, on either side,’’ Senator
Brandis said.

“I can’t think of anyone whose views should be listened to more attentively and who should be more
respected.’’

Coalition senators are backing the right of a colleague to speak critically of the former Howard
government's foreign policies, even if they don't agree with him.

Senator Trood, an international affairs expert before entering parliament in 2004, has written an
academic paper critical of the Iraq war and other foreign affairs issues.

The 200-page paper was launched by Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson at Parliament House in
Canberra last night.

The paper prompted Mr Downer to berate Senator Trood, according to reports. Liberal frontbencher Eric
Abetz played down the reports.

"The media love to peddle these sorts of stories. Whether that occurred or not I don't know," Senator
Abetz told reporters.

"What I do know is that Senator Trood is entitled to his opinion, right or wrong, and that's always been
part and parcel of the Liberal Party ethos.

"Individual senators and members can hold an opinion that is not necessarily the mainstream view of the
party.''

Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce said he did not agree with Senator Trood's views on foreign affairs
policies, especially Iraq.

"I do support the Iraq war,'' he told reporters. "However, not only do I think it's his right to have that say, I think it's incumbent upon him to have that say because, if my position is wrong, I want someone to clearly spell out why it is.

"Mr Downer also has a right to his opinion and his opinion is different to that of Russell's.''

Bruce Billson, a junior defence minister in the previous Howard government, said Senator Trood had a
contribution to make to the coalition.

"That's what's great about the Liberal Party - many people, lots of talent, lots of contributions to make,'' he told reporters.

"He's entitled to (speak out). He should be encouraged to contribute his views. He's got much experience,
considerable expertise.''

Australian Greens leader Bob Brown said there was a period of readjustment going on after the Howard
years.

"Just listening to Brendan Nelson and his five-point plan - there's a breakaway going on here,'' he said.

"Russell Trood's comments about Iraq are an indication that the Liberal Party is again becoming more of
a liberal party and the coalition more of a coalition, than the very confined, conservative, narrow-minded
Howard government that we had over the last 11 years.''

Source: The Australian