Fed: Labor facing bitter caucus debate today on FTA

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2004
Fed: Labor facing bitter caucus debate today on FTA

CANBERRA, Aug 3 AAP - Labor MPs and senators face a bitter debate this morning when
they decide whether to support the United States free trade agreement (FTA).

Split between the left and right, Labor will consider the recommendations of a Senate
committee which has backed the deal.

Late last night, the party's left decided to oppose the committee's recommendations
with almost unanimous support for rejecting the FTA.

It is shaping as a major test for Opposition Leader Mark Latham, who has consistently
said he and the party will be guided by the Labor-dominated Senate committee's report.

Before going to caucus, the shadow cabinet will debate the issue and is likely to back the FTA.

Prime Minister John Howard welcomed the Labor senators' decision and said it was time
for the ALP to support the agreement, which was signed in February.

Australian Manufacturing Workers Union national secretary Doug Cameron described the
decision by the three Labor senators as an act of political cowardice.

He said it was now up to the caucus to show courage by rejecting the Senate committee's
recommendations.

"The party's leadership has crumbled under pressure from the media, sectional business
interests and those political geniuses in the party who have led them to two defeats,"

he said.

The Australian Greens and Australian Democrats have both signalled they will oppose
the FTA laws when they come into the Senate, possibly later today.

AAP sw/pw/de

KEYWORD: TRADE US DAYLEAD

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