Fed: Labor wants FTA changes because it is anti-American: Abbott

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2004
Fed: Labor wants FTA changes because it is anti-American: Abbott

Health Minister TONY ABBOTT says Labor is insisting on amendments to the United States
free trade agreement because it has an anti-American hang-up.

Opposition Leader MARK LATHAM yesterday said Labor would back the deal if the government
supports two amendments to legislation being debated in the Senate.

Labor wants to safeguard subsidised medicines and local content rules for television.

The government has agreed on legislative protection for local content provisions for
TV and radio, but is digging in its heels on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme proposals.

Mr ABBOTT's told ABC radio Labor members are hung up on one amendment because they're
basically anti-American.

Labor's health spokeswoman JULIA GILLARD has told ABC radio Labor's proposition to
the government is very simple -- protect the PBS.

AAP RTV bt/lm

KEYWORD: TRADE US ABBOTT (CANBERRA)

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