Atlasian-Solomon Islands Free Trade Bill

[Democratic Hawk]

I will not be proposing any amendments to this Bill

'Hawk'

[Democratic Hawk]

I have concerns over this bill. The summer of 2002 saw an armed insurrection. In April of this year, allegations that the PM had accepted bribes from Chines businessmenn, led to large scale rioting and attacks on property and business owned or ran by the Chinese community, even if they had no connections to the scandal itself. As with Fiji, I am concerned at recent racial tensions and government corruption. An enquiry is currently underway that is also focusing on police corruption and heavy handedness. In a nation as small as the Solomon islands, and with a interdependent political and business 'elite', I am concerned that trade with the islands will neither be free from government or beurocratic interference, or particularly fair.

Thanks for shedding light on the situation in the Solomon Islands, Mr Secretary. Given your reasoning, perhaps now is not an appropriate time to offer free trade to the Solomon Islands; however, they are not currently subject to any economic restrictions on our part

'Hawk'

[Democratic Hawk]

There will be an amendment to this Bill. I'm liasing with the Secretary of State and as soon as I've heard from him, I'll propose it

'Hawk'

[Democratic Hawk]

In seeking to address the valid concerns raised by the Secretary of State, I, hereby, propose the following amendment:

3. Given recent ethnic tensions and corruption, it is a requirement of this Act that the Solomon Islands be committed to improving ethnic relations between its ethnic groups be committed to rooting out corruption. This shall be monitored by the Secretary of State. In the event of any further ethnic violence that may erupt that may threaten the political and economic stability of the Solomon Islands, and, thus, our mutual interests, then he may temporarily suspend the terms of, and/or request that the Senate revoke this Act in its entirety.

It is only right we proceed with caution on this Bill too

'Hawk'

[Democratic Hawk]

Aye

'Hawk'

[Democratic Hawk]

Aye

'Hawk'

[Democratic Hawk]

Veto override I'll be seeking.

Why? 6 votes is not enough.

Perhaps, one of the 'Nay' votes may change their mind

'Hawk'

[Democratic Hawk]

VETO

An explanation as to why you have vetoed this Bill would be most welcome, Mr President or;

1. Is the Senate to assume you approve of the situation, which my amendment seeks to address, that blights the Solomon Islands?

2. Is the Senate to assume that you simply disapprove of Atlasia having a  unilateral free trade agreement with the Solomon Islands?

'Hawk'

[Democratic Hawk]

Aye

'Hawk'