❓ Question regarding the impact of the US not participating in the Kyoto Protocol on WA industry. The Minister acknowledges potential disadvantages but defends Australia's right to independent policy.
AnsweredQoN 520Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
KYOTO PROTOCOL, POSITION OF USA
No-one argues with the need to deal responsibly with these matters. Will the minister accept that the absence of countries, for example, the United States, from similar protocols will substantially disadvantage Western Australian industry? Point of Order Mr McRAE: That was not a supplementary question. Introducing the policy position of the United States and not discussing the policy position of Europe as a supplementary question is clearly not a supplementary question. Mr DAY: The member for Riverton may not have heard, but I also referred to the United States in my first question. The SPEAKER: The member for Darling Range is correct. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr BROWN
No-one argues with the need to deal responsibly with these matters. Will the minister accept that the absence of countries, for example, the United States, from similar protocols will substantially disadvantage Western Australian industry? Point of Order Mr McRAE: That was not a supplementary question. Introducing the policy position of the United States and not discussing the policy position of Europe as a supplementary question is clearly not a supplementary question. Mr DAY: The member for Riverton may not have heard, but I also referred to the United States in my first question. The SPEAKER: The member for Darling Range is correct. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr BROWN
AnswerView source ↗
The United States takes different positions in different forums. The United States is a great free enterprise country. I am pleased to have very good American friends. However, from time to time, the US position on some issues is confusing. Its position on free trade is confusing, particularly for the farming sector. America says it supports free trade, yet it pumps about $100 billion into farmers’ subsidies. Mr Masters: $170 billion. Mr BROWN: The figure is $170 billion. The US takes a position different from that of Australia on a range of international issues, but that does not stop Australia taking a different position. For example, Australia takes a different position on international trade. Mr Day: At a substantial disadvantage. Mr BROWN: Perhaps it is to our substantial disadvantage; however, that has not stopped the present coalition Government taking a position different from that of the US; nor did it stop the former Labor Government taking a position different from that of the United States. No matter how closely we are aligned to the US and no matter how the bonds of friendship join us - as they do in many areas, about which I am very pleased - from time to time different countries adopt different positions.
Mr DAY: The member for Riverton may not have heard, but I also referred to the United States in my first question. The SPEAKER: The member for Darling Range is correct. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr BROWN replied: The United States takes different positions in different forums. The United States is a great free enterprise country. I am pleased to have very good American friends. However, from time to time, the US position on some issues is confusing. Its position on free trade is confusing, particularly for the farming sector. America says it supports free trade, yet it pumps about $100 billion into farmers’ subsidies. Mr Masters: $170 billion. Mr BROWN: The figure is $170 billion. The US takes a position different from that of Australia on a range of international issues, but that does not stop Australia taking a different position. For example, Australia takes a different position on international trade. Mr Day: At a substantial disadvantage. Mr BROWN: Perhaps it is to our substantial disadvantage; however, that has not stopped the present coalition Government taking a position different from that of the US; nor did it stop the former Labor Government taking a position different from that of the United States. No matter how closely we are aligned to the US and no matter how the bonds of friendship join us - as they do in many areas, about which I am very pleased - from time to time different countries adopt different positions.
The SPEAKER: The member for Darling Range is correct. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr BROWN replied: The United States takes different positions in different forums. The United States is a great free enterprise country. I am pleased to have very good American friends. However, from time to time, the US position on some issues is confusing. Its position on free trade is confusing, particularly for the farming sector. America says it supports free trade, yet it pumps about $100 billion into farmers’ subsidies. Mr Masters: $170 billion. Mr BROWN: The figure is $170 billion. The US takes a position different from that of Australia on a range of international issues, but that does not stop Australia taking a different position. For example, Australia takes a different position on international trade. Mr Day: At a substantial disadvantage. Mr BROWN: Perhaps it is to our substantial disadvantage; however, that has not stopped the present coalition Government taking a position different from that of the US; nor did it stop the former Labor Government taking a position different from that of the United States. No matter how closely we are aligned to the US and no matter how the bonds of friendship join us - as they do in many areas, about which I am very pleased - from time to time different countries adopt different positions.
The United States takes different positions in different forums. The United States is a great free enterprise country. I am pleased to have very good American friends. However, from time to time, the US position on some issues is confusing. Its position on free trade is confusing, particularly for the farming sector. America says it supports free trade, yet it pumps about $100 billion into farmers’ subsidies. Mr Masters: $170 billion. Mr BROWN: The figure is $170 billion. The US takes a position different from that of Australia on a range of international issues, but that does not stop Australia taking a different position. For example, Australia takes a different position on international trade. Mr Day: At a substantial disadvantage. Mr BROWN: Perhaps it is to our substantial disadvantage; however, that has not stopped the present coalition Government taking a position different from that of the US; nor did it stop the former Labor Government taking a position different from that of the United States. No matter how closely we are aligned to the US and no matter how the bonds of friendship join us - as they do in many areas, about which I am very pleased - from time to time different countries adopt different positions.
Mr Masters: $170 billion. Mr BROWN: The figure is $170 billion. The US takes a position different from that of Australia on a range of international issues, but that does not stop Australia taking a different position. For example, Australia takes a different position on international trade. Mr Day: At a substantial disadvantage. Mr BROWN: Perhaps it is to our substantial disadvantage; however, that has not stopped the present coalition Government taking a position different from that of the US; nor did it stop the former Labor Government taking a position different from that of the United States. No matter how closely we are aligned to the US and no matter how the bonds of friendship join us - as they do in many areas, about which I am very pleased - from time to time different countries adopt different positions.
Mr BROWN: The figure is $170 billion. The US takes a position different from that of Australia on a range of international issues, but that does not stop Australia taking a different position. For example, Australia takes a different position on international trade. Mr Day: At a substantial disadvantage. Mr BROWN: Perhaps it is to our substantial disadvantage; however, that has not stopped the present coalition Government taking a position different from that of the US; nor did it stop the former Labor Government taking a position different from that of the United States. No matter how closely we are aligned to the US and no matter how the bonds of friendship join us - as they do in many areas, about which I am very pleased - from time to time different countries adopt different positions.
Mr Day: At a substantial disadvantage. Mr BROWN: Perhaps it is to our substantial disadvantage; however, that has not stopped the present coalition Government taking a position different from that of the US; nor did it stop the former Labor Government taking a position different from that of the United States. No matter how closely we are aligned to the US and no matter how the bonds of friendship join us - as they do in many areas, about which I am very pleased - from time to time different countries adopt different positions.
Mr BROWN: Perhaps it is to our substantial disadvantage; however, that has not stopped the present coalition Government taking a position different from that of the US; nor did it stop the former Labor Government taking a position different from that of the United States. No matter how closely we are aligned to the US and no matter how the bonds of friendship join us - as they do in many areas, about which I am very pleased - from time to time different countries adopt different positions.
Mr DAY: The member for Riverton may not have heard, but I also referred to the United States in my first question. The SPEAKER: The member for Darling Range is correct. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr BROWN replied: The United States takes different positions in different forums. The United States is a great free enterprise country. I am pleased to have very good American friends. However, from time to time, the US position on some issues is confusing. Its position on free trade is confusing, particularly for the farming sector. America says it supports free trade, yet it pumps about $100 billion into farmers’ subsidies. Mr Masters: $170 billion. Mr BROWN: The figure is $170 billion. The US takes a position different from that of Australia on a range of international issues, but that does not stop Australia taking a different position. For example, Australia takes a different position on international trade. Mr Day: At a substantial disadvantage. Mr BROWN: Perhaps it is to our substantial disadvantage; however, that has not stopped the present coalition Government taking a position different from that of the US; nor did it stop the former Labor Government taking a position different from that of the United States. No matter how closely we are aligned to the US and no matter how the bonds of friendship join us - as they do in many areas, about which I am very pleased - from time to time different countries adopt different positions.
The SPEAKER: The member for Darling Range is correct. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr BROWN replied: The United States takes different positions in different forums. The United States is a great free enterprise country. I am pleased to have very good American friends. However, from time to time, the US position on some issues is confusing. Its position on free trade is confusing, particularly for the farming sector. America says it supports free trade, yet it pumps about $100 billion into farmers’ subsidies. Mr Masters: $170 billion. Mr BROWN: The figure is $170 billion. The US takes a position different from that of Australia on a range of international issues, but that does not stop Australia taking a different position. For example, Australia takes a different position on international trade. Mr Day: At a substantial disadvantage. Mr BROWN: Perhaps it is to our substantial disadvantage; however, that has not stopped the present coalition Government taking a position different from that of the US; nor did it stop the former Labor Government taking a position different from that of the United States. No matter how closely we are aligned to the US and no matter how the bonds of friendship join us - as they do in many areas, about which I am very pleased - from time to time different countries adopt different positions.
The United States takes different positions in different forums. The United States is a great free enterprise country. I am pleased to have very good American friends. However, from time to time, the US position on some issues is confusing. Its position on free trade is confusing, particularly for the farming sector. America says it supports free trade, yet it pumps about $100 billion into farmers’ subsidies. Mr Masters: $170 billion. Mr BROWN: The figure is $170 billion. The US takes a position different from that of Australia on a range of international issues, but that does not stop Australia taking a different position. For example, Australia takes a different position on international trade. Mr Day: At a substantial disadvantage. Mr BROWN: Perhaps it is to our substantial disadvantage; however, that has not stopped the present coalition Government taking a position different from that of the US; nor did it stop the former Labor Government taking a position different from that of the United States. No matter how closely we are aligned to the US and no matter how the bonds of friendship join us - as they do in many areas, about which I am very pleased - from time to time different countries adopt different positions.
Mr Masters: $170 billion. Mr BROWN: The figure is $170 billion. The US takes a position different from that of Australia on a range of international issues, but that does not stop Australia taking a different position. For example, Australia takes a different position on international trade. Mr Day: At a substantial disadvantage. Mr BROWN: Perhaps it is to our substantial disadvantage; however, that has not stopped the present coalition Government taking a position different from that of the US; nor did it stop the former Labor Government taking a position different from that of the United States. No matter how closely we are aligned to the US and no matter how the bonds of friendship join us - as they do in many areas, about which I am very pleased - from time to time different countries adopt different positions.
Mr BROWN: The figure is $170 billion. The US takes a position different from that of Australia on a range of international issues, but that does not stop Australia taking a different position. For example, Australia takes a different position on international trade. Mr Day: At a substantial disadvantage. Mr BROWN: Perhaps it is to our substantial disadvantage; however, that has not stopped the present coalition Government taking a position different from that of the US; nor did it stop the former Labor Government taking a position different from that of the United States. No matter how closely we are aligned to the US and no matter how the bonds of friendship join us - as they do in many areas, about which I am very pleased - from time to time different countries adopt different positions.
Mr Day: At a substantial disadvantage. Mr BROWN: Perhaps it is to our substantial disadvantage; however, that has not stopped the present coalition Government taking a position different from that of the US; nor did it stop the former Labor Government taking a position different from that of the United States. No matter how closely we are aligned to the US and no matter how the bonds of friendship join us - as they do in many areas, about which I am very pleased - from time to time different countries adopt different positions.
Mr BROWN: Perhaps it is to our substantial disadvantage; however, that has not stopped the present coalition Government taking a position different from that of the US; nor did it stop the former Labor Government taking a position different from that of the United States. No matter how closely we are aligned to the US and no matter how the bonds of friendship join us - as they do in many areas, about which I am very pleased - from time to time different countries adopt different positions.
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