(Aust.) PM (Howard) ignites death penalty furore | Sydney Morning Herald

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PM ignites death penalty furore
By Cynthia Banham and Robert Wainwright
August 9, 2003

The call by the Prime Minister, John Howard, for a national debate on reintroduction of the death penalty sparked a furious dispute yesterday, dividing political parties and the community.

With the emotive issue reignited after the death sentence for the Bali bomber Amrozi, Mr Howard suggested that it should be raised by state oppositions as an election issue.

The NSW National Party leader, Andrew Stoner, said the death penalty should be a part of a parliamentary debate about introducing specific terrorism laws in the state.

But while the Liberal leader, John Brogden, agreed that such laws should be considered, he said there there was no room for public debate on capital punishment.

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