Debate blocked on Thai arms sales

Greens (WA) Senator Dee Margetts expressed outrage on November 10 when Labor and Coalition parties combined to prevent a debate on the proposed sale of $130 million of Australian arms to Thailand.

Margetts pointed out, “Over the last few days we have had both the prime minister and foreign affairs minister speaking up on the very serious issue of Thai support for the Khmer Rouge”.

Margetts motion for a review of the proposal for export of $130 million worth of Steyr rifles to Thailand was supported by five other members of the joint standing committee on foreign affairs, defence and trade.

But the government, supported by the opposition, used procedural methods to prevent the motion being discussed. “I have to wonder at their motives in preventing this debate”, said Margetts. n

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