You've got to be joking. The Libs crying about illegal logging.... spare me.

This article seems to be asserting that sitting on our hands is the way to go.

Here's more information on the incompatibility between WTO 'rules' and finding solutions to illegal logging.

http://www.forestmonitor.org/uploads/2e90368e95c9fb4f82d3d562fea6ed8d/wto_brf_1.pdf

"The discourse on illegally sourced timber and timber products is evolving rapidly at the international level. International trade rules remain a stumbling block for activists and policy makers alike. Governments frequently refer to the WTO as justification for inaction, while NGO's push for actions that are seen by policy makers as unrealistic given existing trade regimes."

Gee sorry Libs...taking a stand against illegal activities is *so* unfair! How dare illegal industries be subject to the Law...there's profits at stake here. (very few jobs I suspect.)

Ozandy,

It seems that the point that Julie and the Libs are making is that WTO rules and obligations should take precedence over any realistic attempts to counter illegal logging.

Julie: this is far too important issue for the business as usual politicking; of the ever pontificating and obstructionist opposition! You allegedly believe in taking action against illegal logging? That's why you voted the bill down or acted to further delay its implementation? That'll work?
I guess there are some pretty wealthy timber merchants: and, guess what? It is the wealthy and or over privileged, who seem to get the coalition's real support?
Similarly, you apparently believe in offshore processing of irregular arrivals; and probably explains, why a party seemingly only interested in the treasury benches, would act to vote down the only offer on the table; that would've achieved your so-called stated goals?
For all practical purposes and the megaphone diplomacy; that seems so in vogue in today's coalition, you may as well have said to each and every people smuggler in every leaky boat; filled to the gunwales with aliens, opps sorry, human beings, come on down! Well done!
You should be proud of a result patently engineered by your side of politics and no other! Sorry Julie; but a spade remains a spade.
Blame shift as much as you like; that seems to be your particular forte?
[Well, you are a Lawyer after all Julie; and skilled in describing the patently guilty, as innocent and pure as the driven snow?]
Q: If you were to drive past a small country town and noted as you exited the town limits; that half a dozen Lawyers were buried up to their necks in sand? What would it signify?
A: A local shortage of sand! Ha ha.
Abe Lincoln, a genuinely progressive Conservative, once said, "you can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, some of the people some of the time; but, you can't fool all of the people all of the time!"
Rhrosty.

Talk about inundated hypocrisy, it's just the same amendment searching yearn for attracting people's attention, no political reform will ever destabalise international logging, I agree that the greens are a threat to political reasoning, only because they beat about the bush for stupidity. But who in reason is going to stop international logging? It's like trying to stop mining, with such indecent acts being perpetrated by nations with power, how can the world stop doing when those we have no power over continue to shaddow your commitments? It's destined for failure due to rushed judgement, and over seeking public approval. It will not work on the basis of failed votes and mishandling of random authoritarian consent. People know and you should too that there are no easy escape routes to this agenda, proof is continually being sought after.