Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

None . . Page.. 1545 ..

MR BERRY: I will say this very slowly so that my colleague Mr Hird will understand it. There was no bombing in the Pacific when the contracts were signed. Things have changed, or have you not noticed? Jacques Chirac is now the man in France. If the Liberals opposite want to retain their sycophantic stance with the French, good on them; but do not include me. Already we know that the majority of French people object to what their Government is doing, and already we know that the Federal Government has taken much stronger action as a result of the community uprising around this issue.

Many of us were concerned with the diplomatic actions that were taken in the first place; but, as I have said to community meetings in the past, it is the strength of the action out there in the community which I think goaded the Federal Government into action. I think their actions have been welcomed by the community. I think they have done a pretty good job in the circumstances. Of course, more can be done. That is where it comes to us. Now we have the responsibility and we can do something about it.

The whingeing of the cringing, crying Liberals opposite about the actions of the Federal Government really does not amount to much in this debate. What we have to do is see their claw in the air when it comes to a vote on this issue. What I want is a big yes out of you when it comes to the vote.

Mr Hird: Show us your tie, Wayne.

MR BERRY: It is made in Australia. It is synthetic material; it is not even made from imported silk. We already know that the majority of the French people object to what their Government is doing, and I think it is time we gave them some support as well. Let us give them the proof that the actions of their Government are having a negative effect not only on the environment and their international image but also on their economy. We have to get the message home. The Francophiles opposite, of course, do not seem interested in that.

When French companies tell Jacques Chirac that his actions are hurting them, then he will listen, the same as an Australian government would if Australian companies told them. When his business supporters say, “We are hurting”, then I think we will get a change in his attitude. But if we sit idly by and do nothing, as seems to be the attitude of the Liberals opposite, then nothing will change. The explosions will go on, our environment will be permanently damaged, in due course people will be injured and so on. Nobody needs to go to the case about the damage that nuclear weapons can do to our country and to our world, and indeed - - -

Mr De Domenico: The Chinese ones are good, are they?

MR BERRY: The stupid little man over there tries to draw some distinction between the Chinese weapons and the weapons which have been exploded in the South Pacific. They are both bad.

Mr De Domenico: The Chinese ones are closer.

MR BERRY: They are both bad.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .