Fed: AMWU slams Labor over US FTA

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2004
Fed: AMWU slams Labor over US FTA

SYDNEY, Aug 3 AAP - Labor's decision to back the US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was
a "demonstration of a lack of courage" which could cost them the election, a union said
today.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) national secretary Doug Cameron said
the agreement was bad for Australia.

"AMWU believes this decision by the Labor caucus to accept the US Free Trade Agreement
is a demonstration of a lack of courage in the Labor party," Mr Cameron told reporters
in Sydney.

"We don't believe this is any good, it is a bad deal, it's bad for Australia, it will
cost manufacturing jobs, it will result in increased pharmaceutical costs and I think
Australia's cultural identity will be under siege by this agreement."

Mr Cameron said he was disappointed by Labor's decision and blamed factions within
the party for the bad deal.

"I think there are some nervous nellies who are not prepared to differentiate the party
at any cost," he said.

"I think there are some leadership people in the party who have led this party to two
election defeats and these political geniuses still think they have some sway within the
party."

Mr Cameron said he thought the decision may result in Labor losing votes to the minor
parties at the next federal election.

"I think there's no doubt Labor will lose votes to the minor parties because of this," he said.

AAP evt/nr/smb/tma/bwl

KEYWORD: TRADE US AMWU

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