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The Forum > General Discussion > Should Kevin Andrew's Resign in Breach of the US / Aus FTA?

Should Kevin Andrew's Resign in Breach of the US / Aus FTA?

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A Government has the responsibility to follow the best interests of all its citizens, business and allies. We live in a democracy and a country with a long history of lobbying for free trade.

One of John Howard's proudest moment was the signing of the Australia and US Free Trade Agreement. Many of us were cautious as the implications were wide reaching. Clearly no Australian Government or Minister, under the agreement, is allowed to be involved in unfair trade practices that inhibits trade with the US. The essence of these are bold and clear in the contract.

Meanwhile, back at the Life Decisions International movement, Keven Andrews, The Howard Government's Immigration Minister is actively lobbying for boycotting American companies.

In the Sun Herald 5/8/07 page 3, Keven Andrews has been disclosed for declaring a boycott on GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, eBay, Four Seasons Hotel and even Walt Disney. Such a boycott declared by a Government Minister is clearly in breach of the FTA fair trade agreement.

The United States Government and or the Corporations could have it in their rights to sue Kevin Andrews for damage to their companies reputation.

Whether this is about Kevin Andrew's agenda to stop RU486, Hollywood, or Hotels with nylon curtains or whatever is beside the point. A Minister for a Government must show discipline to run a country, even if she or he has personal moral beliefs. His personal agenda puts our trade at risk with the US. This is irresponsible.

If the Liberals couldn't care less, leave him there and fall even lower. If the Liberals have a flying chance of keeping a responsible Government that follows treaties with the US, should he be kicked out as "too risky"? The longer people like Kevin Andrews stay there, the lower this Government will fall.

If the FTA doesn't matter, why an earth are we hosting APEC?

Australia is demonstrating that in trade, it can't be trusted. It's up to the Liberal Party to prove any different.
Posted by saintfletcher, Sunday, 5 August 2007 8:41:18 PM
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To see this read out by +++The Saint+++, re-William S Burroughs, you can link this to You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr4GoRLNGBo
Posted by saintfletcher, Monday, 6 August 2007 3:03:24 AM
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SF.
American companies are a target. Kevin Andrews seems to be one hundred percent what we need.
I didnt know he was doing that so thanks for posting your information.
It would seem to me we have the right Minister for Aborignal Affairs pluss the role of Kevin Andrews has served us well.

Any body who claims the howard Government have opped aboriginal affairs up before an election are ignorant fools.
The Ministerhas been working tirelsly on it since he was appointed and hes a darn good bloke.
I was impressed by his stand against bail for the Gold Coast Dr.
What the public needs to know is he gets far more information that the public.
And thats how it should be.
Be it Howard or Rudd- One thing that wont escape either mans eye is this turn against our own leaders and values.
Now might be a good time to close the borders for a while.
At least until we have ten years supply in our dams anyway.

I think howard and Rudd need to sit and talk about how they intend to hold this country.

The bottom line is Free Trade is not good for Australia either with the deals being mostly to others advantage.
No wonder the farmers are leaving in droves.

Wake up Australia.
Kevin Andrews
We need a dozen more of you. We also need to be rid of Mark vaile and Downer with their cruel disregard of live exports.
The Nationals are traitors to farmers.
Posted by People Against Live Exports & Intensive Farming, Monday, 6 August 2007 3:57:57 AM
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I certainly think that its dangerous, to have people at the highest
level of Government, involved with fanatical religious organisastions
like LDI.

IIRC it was also Andrews who was heavily involved in preventing
euthanasia in the NT. Hopefully the electors will finally
throw him out on his ear at the next election.
Posted by Yabby, Monday, 6 August 2007 10:34:47 AM
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Yet another failed Minister from a failing State
The only Ministers in Howard's government that seem
to really want to do their work well are ones' that
determine how much we CAN'T spend on all things that
enhance humanity. Roll on election
Posted by thinks4self, Monday, 6 August 2007 3:04:43 PM
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For the record, I am not defending the FTA or APEC. The problem is that we are the ones, the farmers the business people the consumers who are told to tow the line with the FTA. These days, I'm quite indifferent to this.

But when a Government Minister lobbies for unfair trade practices against the FTA which could be seen as a breach of contract and the US could legally sue the Australian Government, just like they threatened to sue Canada in the early days of NAFTA, things may not be that friendly between Australia and the US in the APEC summit.

No matter how far Howard crawls to Bush, the US Government will not tolerate a Government that has Ministers lobbying to boycott their trade.

They can't have it both ways. They are either a Free Trade Government, or a backward Luddite bunch of religious fundamentalists.

If they are a bunch of Luddite religious fundamentalists that threaten business and trade in Australia's economy, how could they possibly be members of the Liberal Party? Having him in Government makes a mockery of what it is to be a Liberal.
Posted by saintfletcher, Monday, 6 August 2007 3:27:24 PM
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