STOP MAI

MEDIA RELEASE -for immediate release, 26 July, 2004 Authorised by the STOP-MAI Campaign Coalition (WA) Website http://members.iinet.net.au/~jenks/fair.html Affiliated with the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network (AFTInet) and with the International Simultaneous Policy Organisation (ISPO)

 

Campaign against "Free Trade Agreement" moves to Rockingham this week

The office of local federal MP the Hon. Kim Beazley has been chosen as the venue for a rally on Saturday 31 July (11 am) against the so-called Australia-US Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) which comes before the Senate in August.

The Agreement recently signed by the Howard Government is in fact a limited preferential trade pact which grants lopsided benefits to the US at great potential cost to Australia--a cause of extreme public concern throughout the nation.

Mr Beazley, a former defence minister, has close links with Washington officials and has declared his personal support for the AUSFTA. His recent return to the Opposition front bench has been welcomed by US Ambassador Tom Schieffer.

But the ALP, which has power to kill the Agreement next month in the Senate, is divided on the issue. Leader Mark Latham has promised to reject the enabling legislation unless it is demonstrated to be in Australia's national interest.

The Australian Greens, who are resolved to defeat the pact, have published a survey showing 73% of Australians want the AUSFTA to be either scrapped or renegotiated.

Mr Beazley has been invited to address Saturday's street meeting. The organising StopMAI Coalition is a non-party-political group and has extended the same invitation to the other known Brand candidates Mr Phil Edman (Liberal), former senator Mrs Jean Jenkins (Greens) and Mr Rob Totten (CEC).

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WHERE: Cnr Council Ave and Hefron Street, Rockingham, 11 am, Sat 31 July

 

PHONE CONTACTS: Brian Jenkins +61 8 9528 1864; Dion Giles 0411 745 538