Australia wrangles over US FTA - Democratic Underground

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Wed Jun-23-04 10:53 PM
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Australia wrangles over US FTA

AFP , SYDNEY

The Australian government introduced legislation to ratify a controversial free trade deal with the US yesterday, aiming to expose opposition divisions on the deal ahead of national elections.

Amid conflicting claims about the benefits of the US agreement, the main opposition Labor Party said it would support the legislation passage through parliament's lower house but could still scuttle it in the upper house or Senate.

Treasurer Peter Costello accused Labor of trying to adopt two positions on the free trade deal so it could avoid scrutiny on the issue ahead of an election expected to be held in October or November.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/06/24/2003176302

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