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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 1 Hansard (19 February) . . Page.. 254 ..
MS DUNDAS (continuing):
It is expected that an attack on Iraq will begin with sustained air strikes, followed by an invasion of ground troops-culminating in the overthrow of Baghdad. The UN estimates that this could generate 1.4 million refugees, who I am sure our federal government would not want to let into this country. The World Health Organisation has put the likely death toll at half a million, estimating that there would be 100,000 direct and 400,000 indirect casualties.
The death toll would be much higher than the 1991 Gulf war, which killed around 200,000 Iraqis. The 1991 war led to a severe decline in the health of the Iraqi people and a weakening of the country's health care infrastructure. Any new war would mean higher casualties. In the worst case scenario, if nuclear weapons are fired on Iraq in response to a chemical and biological attack, then the estimates range from between 1.7 and 3.9 million people dead.
John Howard has said that he would not involve Australia in a war where he thought nuclear weapons could be used, but both the United states and the United Kingdom have refused to rule out the use of nuclear weapons. The fears are real, and members of the Australian community deserve to have their voices heard.
We have had calls from past leaders of this nation, former US Presidents, senior security experts, leaders of other nations, leaders of churches, many Islamic community members and a majority of members of the Australian public. All over Australia and all around the world, there have been community rallies opposing a war.
I recognise that the ACT is a small jurisdiction and that we do not have the power to block the actions of the American President. However, this Assembly must be moved by what we saw on the weekend-by the number of people willing to step forward to defend peace.
We must continue to apply pressure on our own Prime Minister to not lead us down a path to war.
Suspension of standing order 76
Motion (by Mrs Dunne ) agreed to, with the concurrence of an absolute majority:That standing order 76 be suspended for the remainder of the sitting.
MRS CROSS (10.28): I was not going to speak on this tonight. This is a very emotional issue and I agree with the sentiments expressed by Mrs Dunne. I also understand the sentiments behind Mrs Tucker's motion. I know she is very passionate about the causes she gets involved with, and I respect her for that sentiment.
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