bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

Australia


Govt under fire over China FTA
Workers’ rights and the environment are being sacrificed in the rush to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with China, a public interest group says.
Human rights ’not on table’ in China FTA
Trade Minister Mark Vaile says the Government will not "sell out" human rights issues to get a better deal on a free trade agreement with China.
Expert dampens China FTA hopes
AUSTRALIANS should not expect too much from a China-Australia free trade agreement, the Howard Government’s lead negotiator for the deal warned yesterday.
Australia hints at FTA with India
The Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, on Wednesday hinted at the possibility of India and Australia entering into a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Australian Govt to get tough on China trade issues
Trade Minister Mark Vaile signalled a major assault on tariffs, quarantine systems and intellectual property laws as part of free trade negotiations with China.
Free trade, the new con trick
It is two years since the US and Australia signed a so-called free trade agreement, and it is nearly 60 years since George Orwell introduced the concept of "newspeak", which describes how politicians often subvert language to make it mean the opposite of what it says.
Pacific Island nations seek closer economic ties with NZ, Australia
Pacific Islands Forum countries have decided it is now time to move beyond their existing SPARTECA agreement with Australia and New Zealand, according to reports from Nadi, Fiji, on Friday.
UAE and Australia to hold second round of FTA talks
The UAE and Australia will hold a second round of talks next week in Abu Dhabi to clear the way for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to boost trade and investment between the two countries.
Interview: Chile turns to Australia in Asia Pacific push
On Friday, Chile will formally unveil free trade agreements with New Zealand, Singapore and Brunei, building on existing agreements with South Korea, Canada, the US and the European Union. Next on Chile’s FTA hit list are Asian giants China, Japan and India.
FTA with China won’t cut into clothes market
China won’t get special access to our $9 billion textile market as part of a looming free trade agreement between Canberra and Beijing, senior trade negotiators have told Australia’s clothing industry.
India and Australia move closer to a free trade agreement
Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath and Australian Trade Minister Mark Vaile have indicated that both the countries would beign discussions on a trade and economic framework, leading to possible free trade agreement (FTA).
Australians to promote free trade agreement with Israel
A delegation of 30 Australian businesspeople and economic officials will arrive in Israel tomorrow to locate investment opportunities and seek to promote a bilateral free trade agreement with Israel.
Racism, rights ’could hurt China FTA’
Racism and left wing politicians focusing on human rights could threaten a proposed free trade deal between Australia and China, a new report says.
High price to host, protect APEC ’07
Hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum in 2007 will cost Australia $216.3 million.
FTAs protectionism in disguise: Garnaut
This week, to the fanfare of headlines trumpeting talk of a $24 billion bonanza, Australia and China announced the start of formal negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). However, the Federal Government’s pursuit of FTAs all over the globe has its detractors who argue that they are a sort of Trojan horse for protectionism and they also damage relations with countries that we don’t have deals with.
Ambassador denies slavish approach to US
Australia’s outgoing ambassador to the United States denies Australia’s relationship with the US is subservient and a threat to the national interest.
Free trade agreement jeopardises local workers
At least 1000 workers may be jobless within months as two Sydney car-part manufacturers plan to close, or move to Asia, as Australia moves towards a free trade agreement with China.
Australia enters dragon’s den
Despite Australian PM Howard’s glee last week at being the first country to secure Chinese agreement to a bilateral free trade deal, he might find that actually realising an agreement will be a very tough assignment.
Sino FTA more likely than Japan: Howard
Prime Minister John Howard has conceded clinching a free trade agreement with China was more likely than with Japan.
Howard scores big in China
You can’t win ’em all. Fast-jetting Australian Prime Minister John Howard discovered that on his latest barnstorming through East Asia. In Beijing he was buoyed by the success of signing on to a feasibility study aimed at preceding a free trade agreement (FTA). In Tokyo he got the usual welcoming smiles but no deal on an FTA.