24 June 2010
Australian Associated Press General News
English
(c) 2010 Australian Associated Press Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved
CANBERRA, June 24 AAP - Australia is set to strengthen the way sanctions are applied against regressive regimes, with the opposition supporting new draft laws.
The federal government introduced the laws to parliament in May, saying there was a pressing need for autonomous sanctions.
Autonomous sanctions taken by a single or group of like-minded governments were a key tool in Australian diplomacy and have been applied against Iran, North Korea, Zimbabwe, Fiji and Burma in recent years.
Laws intended for other purposes had to be used to impost the sanctions, including banking law to cover financial sanctions and customs laws to enforce arms embargoes.
The new laws, modelled on the law under which Australia enforced Security Council sanctions, includes similar penalties of up to 10 years jail for sanction busting.
It would also improve Australia's capacity to respond quickly to issues of international concern.
Opposition foreign spokeswoman Julie Bishop said the coalition supported the draft laws as an alternative to military force.
Debate on the Autonomous Sanctions Bill 2010 continues.
