"For the citizens of Sydney to be fenced off within their own city was I think appalling."
Not Wrong!
This is one reason Howard lost the election, along with his own seat. That was a clear indication of a government getting out of control and distancing itself from the common people.
Shutting down the Sydney Harbour bridge from half an hour so Cheney could lunch with Howard was a outcry as well.
So lets put this into perspective. Rudd with his slap stick salute gesture as opposed to Howard entering Australia into a illegal war and shutting down Sydney Harbour bridge to accommodate the King of conflict of interest.