Qld: Democrats would like FTA to be election issue

AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-2004
Qld: Democrats would like FTA to be election issue

Australian Democrats leader ANDREW BARTLETT says a federal election fought on the Free
Trade Agreement with the United States would give Australians a chance to say whether
it should go ahead.

Senator BARTLETT says the deal is not in Australia's interests and cannot truly be
called a free trade agreement.

He's told reporters at his Brisbane home the deal actually increases restrictions and
decreases competition.

He says today's statement by Federal Health Minister TONY ABBOTT that the government
would be happy to fight an election over the FTA and the dispute between the government
and Labor about the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, are part of a smokescreen to hide
real issues.

Senator BARTLETT says there are a lot of other problems with the agreement too, including
quarantine and intellectual property issues.

AAP RTV jfs/jmt

KEYWORD: TRADE US BARTLETT (BRISBANE)

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