Fed: Labor waiting on legal advice about FTA concerns

AAP General News (Australia)
08-11-2004
Fed: Labor waiting on legal advice about FTA concerns

CANBERRA, Aug 11 AAP - Labor was still waiting for legal advice on the government's
concerns about its amendments to the United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Opposition
Leader Mark Latham said today.

Mr Latham said Labor's lawyers were still reviewing the government's concerns, which
were handed over to the opposition in writing last night.

However, he believed Labor's amendments, which include protections for cheap medicines,
were legally sound.

"They're (the government's concerns are) being assessed by our lawyers," Mr Latham
told reporters.

"But in general ... our lawyers continue to advise us that our position is sound, that
our amendments are strong and effective, and we are very determined to ensure that there
are effective penalties and deterrents in place so that the cheaper, more affordable medicines
get through to the Australian people.

"With regard to our response to the issues raised by the government and conveyed to
us last night, we'll have more to say about that in the near future."

The FTA legislation for the trade deal is currently before the Senate.

Prime Minister John Howard met Mr Latham late yesterday to discuss Labor's planned
amendments, and to raise some technical concerns about the changes.

Earlier today, Mr Howard said the government wanted to ensure Labor's amendment would
not create any mischief for the FTA.

Mr Latham said he was confident that Labor's amendments were consistent with the text of the FTA.

"We don't want the big companies holding up affordable medicines coming to market," he said.

"We want effective penalties and deterrents in place to ensure that our Pharmaceutical
Benefits Scheme (PBS) works effectively in the future.

"Labor's rock solid determined to ensure that that intent is adopted by the parliament
and those benefits flow through to the Australian people."

AAP bt/sw/cdh/jlw

KEYWORD: TRADE US LATHAM

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