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http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/09/24/1032734161269.html Lib MP breaks ranks over war on Saddam Sydney Morning Herald September 24 2002 -"Terrorism must not go unchallenged but, equally so, for a nation to just unilaterally decide to go in without proper reason or proper support from the United Nations, I think puts that nation in the same basket as the terrorists." A Liberal backbencher today broke ranks with the government and equated backing any US unilateral action against Iraq with terrorism. Like Labor's Harry Quick - who earlier said he was totally against war with Iraq - Queensland MP Peter Lindsay said he would reject Australian support for unilateral action against Iraq by the US without further evidence justifying a self-defence military strike. If parliament voted to send Australia troops to support a unilateral attack, Mr Lindsay said he would vote against it on present circumstances. "Terrorism must not go unchallenged but, equally so, for a nation to just unilaterally decide to go in without proper reason or proper support from the United Nations, I think puts that nation in the same basket as the terrorists," Mr Lindsay told ABC Radio. "On the basis of what we are seeing I do not support unilateral action against Iraq by the United States." Opposition Leader Simon Crean asked Foreign Minister Alexander Downer if he endorsed Mr Lindsay's comments. Mr Downer could only repeat the government's position on Iraq and scold Mr Crean for trying to make political points on the Iraq issue. "Since the beginning of the debate that we had in the parliament last week we have endeavoured not to make political points on this serious issue," Mr Downer said. He said there were differences of opinion on the Opposition benches as well. Despite days of public agonising over the possibility of whether to demand a conscience vote on any future move to send Australian troops to Iraq, only one MP raised that issue in today's caucus meeting. And that MP said a conscience vote was unnecessary, the spokesman said. ``No-one got up and said that we demand or want or are desirous of a conscience vote,'' the spokesman said. Earlier, Mr Quick, a Labor MP from Tasmania, said he had received widespread support from the community for his stand. "I've had dozens and dozens of emails and phone calls from parents saying we don't want to send our kids, keep up the good work," he told reporters. Asked if he was prepared to be expelled over the issue, Mr Quick said: "If we support a pre-emptive strike against Iraq, yes I am." Mr Quick was also against a United Nations-endorsed attack on Iraq. "I'm totally against the war, it's a US-manufactured war and I don't support it in any shape or form," he said. Mr Quick said dozens of his parliamentary colleagues supported his position. The Labor caucus is meeting this morning to finalise its position on Australia's involvement in any strike against Iraq. Opposition Leader Simon Crean yesterday ruled out a conscience vote on the issue, saying Labor would vote as one. His decision comes despite calls from some MPs for Labor to allow a conscience vote. Other Labor MPs downplayed suggestions of division within the party. Labor backbencher Dick Adams said while some MPs were opposed to war, there had been a full debate on the issue. "The idea of having a conscience vote on Iraq is not on, I don't think that will be expected," he told reporters. Mr Adams said anyone voting against the party position would face the consequences of their actions, namely expulsion. Opposition frontbencher Anthony Albanese said MPs joined the Labor Party to follow the party position. "If I wanted to (have a conscience vote and) be an independent, I would come here as the independent member for Grayndler," he said. Labor frontbencher Joel Fitzgibbon said it was important that Labor voted as one on the issue of Iraq. "There's not much point in having a major political party if they're not going to be making decisions in the interest of the Australian people," he said. Opposition environment spokesman Kelvin Thompson said he was confident the Labor caucus would be able to make the correct judgement about Iraq. "The thing about a conscience vote is that it suggests that we can't continue to get it right," he said. Labor backbencher Duncan Kerr said the prospect of military action against Iraq was an issue of great concern. "It's probably the most important issue I've been a member of parliament considering," Mr Kerr told reporters. "I think we should approach any vote that occurs on this with the utmost seriousness." __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New DSL Internet Access from SBC & Yahoo! http://sbc.yahoo.com --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bacIlu Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
