[Greens-Media] Sen. KERRY NETTLE: ALP and Government won't support simple call for ceasefire

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

ALP and Government won't support simple call for ceasefire

10.08.06

Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today moved a simple motion urging the
government to support an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Lebanon. The
motion was not supported by the government or Labor party.

"I am disappointed that a simple humanitarian motion calling for a stop
to the killing was not supported in the Senate," Senator Nettle said.

"The Greens hoped that by keeping this motion as simple as possible,
focusing on the humanitarian crisis and not entering into the
complexities of the crisis in Lebanon, that a message of peace could be
sent from the Senate.

"I'm sure that the overwhelming majority of the Australian people would
want the fighting to stop now and for those innocent lives about to be
lost in ongoing hostilities to be saved.

"The Greens are saddened that the position of the US and Israeli
governments, who do not support an immediate ceasefire, is being
supported by the major political parties in Australia.

"The Greens will not be intimidated by powerful US and Israeli voices
but will continue to speak out in support of the innocent victims of the
violence.

THE MOTION:

The Australian Senate 

(a)  	notes that the details of any ceasefire in the Middle East will
be 		controversial but given the 	ongoing tragic loss of
life any immediate 	ceasefire is better than no ceasefire 

And

(b) 	calls on the Australian government to support an immediate
ceasefire

Contact - Jon Edwards  0428 213 146