Posted on 08/19/2002 3:35:10 PM PDT by knighthawk
AUSTRALIAN Democrats leader Natasha Stott Despoja failed in her bid to force the Government to rule out a first strike against Iraq.
Senator Stott Despoja moved the Government rule out committing troops unless there was evidence of an imminent attack by Iraq on another nation.
But the urgency motion lost 11-57, with the seven Democrats, two Greens and Len Harris (ON, Qld) and Meg Lees (Ind, SA), defeated by the Government and Labor.
Senator Stott Despoja said there were insufficient grounds for Australia to support a first strike and the Government must support diplomatic endeavours.
Party debate in the Senate should be more than just a few Dorothy Dixer questions, she said.
"Let's support those diplomatic efforts," she said.
"Let's get the first strike option off the table."
Although Labor voted against the motion, it said a pre-emptive strike was not yet justified.
"We do not believe the case has yet been made as would warrant a direct attack from the United States on Iraq," Opposition Senate Leader John Faulkner said.
"We do not as yet have public evidence available directly linking the government of Iraq with the events of September 11."
He said Australia's contribution to a coalition against Iraq would be limited because of its commitments in Afghanistan and the war against terror, East Timor, Bougainville and the Solomons.
Senator Faulkner said the Democrats should have consulted Labor on the motion to get a wording they could support.
He said the Democrats' approach would have precluded Australia's involvement in Afghanistan.
Marise Payne (LP, NSW) questioned the Democrats' sincerity when they had not consulted other parties.
She said the debate was merely hypothetical at this stage.
Bob Brown (AG, Tas) said Mr Howard and his war talk needed to be reined in by parliament because young lives, the Australian economy and the environment were all at stake.
"This parliament ... must put maximum pressure of restraint on the irresponsibility of a prime minister who's led from the White House and not from the houses, the people, the streets of this nation," he said.
Senator Brown earlier gave notice of a motion to set up a Senate inquiry into Australia's possible support for a US invasion of Iraq.
I'm starting to wonder if these people are secret iragi agents or what?
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