HARRY QUICK, ALP federal MP for Franklin in Tasmania and deputy opposition whip, spoke to Green Left Weekly's JAMES VASSILOPOULOS about the impending war against Iraq.
Why do you oppose the planned war on Iraq?
I've always been a pacifist. My father was a World War I veteran. He came back from Gallipoli as an invalid at 19. He always spoke about peace. As a teacher for 23 years, working in disadvantaged schools, I was always on about kids resolving issues rather than settling them by force.
The war on Iraq is about oil and US domination of the Middle East. It is not our war. I mix with my electorate and 90% of my constituents seem to oppose the war. I have got huge amounts of positive feedback about my stand against the war from people, young and old. When I put my hand up a couple of months back, I was pleasantly surprised and delighted to see so many Australians who share my concerns.
What is the official ALP policy on the impending war?
The position agreed to by federal caucus is to totally oppose a US pre-emptive strike, but support working through the United Nations. If there is a breach of the UN resolution on weapons inspection, the ALP would support war.
If a war were conducted under the auspices of the UN Security Council would you oppose it?
Yes. I would vote against the war. I know there are people on both sides of parliament that oppose a war in any shape or form. I would try to call for a division of parliament and would need one other MP to support my call. During a division, all MPs must decide which side they are on. Yes or no to war. There is nowhere to hide. If you don't come into the parliamentary chamber, you are abstaining.
Wouldn't that jeopardise your parliamentary position, as you would be going against the line of the ALP?
Yes. Federal Labor leader Simon Crean understands where I stand. I have discussed it with others in the ALP and they say that I won't be on my own. When parliament is to be reconvened to discuss the war, we would have another caucus meeting. At that meeting, even if a majority of the ALP caucus support the war, I will publicly say that I'm totally opposed to the war and I'll vote against it.
I still want to be a member of the Labor Party, but if I'm expelled that is fine. I'll stand as an independent and still win my seat. I'd like to think the Labor Party is big enough to give me a conscience vote to express my long-held views.
What can people in Australia do to stop the war?
Bush and Blair are determined to go to war. We can say, like the New Zealanders, Canadians and Germans, is that we do not want to be part of their coalition. I would urge as many people as possible to send a hand-written letter to their federal MPs. The letter should say, "I am one of many people in your electorate who is totally opposed to Australian involvement in a war on Iraq, whether it is UN-sanctioned or not".
You've spoken at anti-war rallies in Melbourne and Canberra, so you feel such demonstrations are important too?
Yes, they are, but we need to continue the process and we need to get everyone involved, including senior citizens, secondary students and veterans' associations. Many Vietnam veterans are saying this is not the way.
Sanctions against Iraq have left at least 500,000 Iraqi children dead. Do you think sanctions should be lifted?
Yes, the rich and powerful are never the ones to suffer. The sanctions only harm the ordinary people. It really worries me that the sanctions in place against Iraq are jeopardising a generation of young people.
Where do you stand on the proposed ASIO bill and the limiting of civil liberties?
There is disquiet about this. We have one of the best multicultural societies in the world. This will be jeopardised by passing this draconian legislation. People with political or religious beliefs are being targeted.
There is a need for increased powers after September 11, 2001, and the Bali bombings, but there needs to be a clear understanding of the law and those accused must have the right to a lawyer. When it's cloak and dagger stuff, it's like those other regimes whose problems we are trying to sort out.
What are the causes of terrorism?
Terrorism flourishes when there are underprivileged people. When people are deprived of adequate housing, work opportunities and education. If there is deprivation then people can get to a point where they take up weapons to resolve the situation.
From Green Left Weekly, December 11, 2002.
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