Fed: MPs return to face Iraq, Labor reform

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Fed: MPs return to face Iraq, Labor reform

Federal politicians return to Canberra today to join battle over issues including thegovernment's handling of relations with Iraq and Labor Party reform.

There's also the first conscience vote since 1997 on stem cell research, a new inquiryinto Telstra's services to the country and growing demands on the government to toughenlaws for corporate cowboys.

One of the most immediate debates will be about the government's rhetoric concerningIraqi president SADDAM HUSSEIN.

The nation's wheatgrowers won a reprieve yesterday from Iraq, which had turned awayseveral ships carrying Australian wheat.

But Iraq is still warning that it may abandon more than $800 million worth of Australianwheat sales because of the federal government's support for possible American action inthe Middle East.

Meanwhile, the government is likely to focus on Labor's own internal battles.

The government is expected to target a report compiled by BOB HAWKE and NEVILLE WRANon the internal workings of the ALP.

Labor will also be down one MP with the sudden retirement of frontbencher STEPHEN MARTIN.

AAP RTV sw/jtb/psm/

KEYWORD: PARLY PREVIEW (CANBERRA)