(Aussie) Dems want cost of Rumsfeld visit

THE Australian Democrats want the South Australian Government to release the cost of this week's visit to Adelaide by US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

With a massive security operation in place, involving up to 500 police, and barriers blocking off areas of the city, Democrat MP Sandra Kanck said the Government should reveal how many hospital operations could have been performed for the cost of the visit.
Mr Rumsfeld's presence in Adelaide for ministerial talks between the US and Australian governments was a dubious pleasure, she said.

"(Foreign Minister) Alexander Downer may think most South Australians are pleased to have Rumsfeld turning their city into a locked down zone, but he moves in terribly small circles," Ms Kanck said.