Bipartisan support for further Iran sanctions
AUSTRALIA is likely to implement more sanctions against Iran, after both the federal Government and Opposition came out strongly against the rogue state.
NAOMI LEVIN
AUSTRALIA is likely to implement more sanctions against Iran, after both the federal Government and Opposition came out strongly last week against the rogue state.
Following news that the country has developed the capability to enrich uranium to a level closer to that which is needed to build nuclear weapons, Australia stood firm on the need to rein in the Islamic Republic.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Australia remained “deeply concerned” about Teheran’s nuclear program.
“In the absence of positive engagement, Australia stands ready to support tough, new measures against Iran, including additional UN [United Nations] Security Council sanctions and autonomous sanctions,” Smith said.
Speaking to The AJN, Opposition foreign affairs spokesperson Julie Bishop also expressed “grave concerns” about Iran’s nuclear program.
“The Coalition agrees with the statements of the United States, Russia, France and others that it is time for much stronger sanctions against Iran,” Bishop said.
Alongside Afghanistan, Pakistan and North Korea, she named Iran as one of the highest priorities for global security in 2010.
However, she ruled out any prospect of military action against the country, despite Liberal Senator Julian McGauran calling for Australia to act more aggressively towards Iran and consider military action.
“The Coalition position is that all options should be exhausted before consideration is given to military action. The case against Iran would have to be beyond doubt. At this point, we certainly support the call for much stronger and tougher sanctions against Iran,” Bishop said.
Smith agreed, saying that the Government remained committed to finding a diplomatic solution.
The Deputy Opposition Leader, who visited Israel late last year, said she had discussed developments with Israeli experts.
“I had a number of meetings with people in Israel about the threat that Iran poses to Israel and I certainly don’t underestimate the deep concern that exists in Israel over the threat from Iran.”
In other developments, Michael Danby, the chair of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Sub-Committee, reported that the Iranian Ambassador to Australia recently re-affirmed to the committee that his country’s nuclear attempts were peaceful.
A further committee meeting heard from Hashem Youseff, with the Arab League representative insisting that Iran should not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.
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