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Australia

A Kiwi-sized "Spanner in the works" of the TPP?
17-Jun-2013 Mondaq
Are the PBS and Pharmac under threat from the TPP? Certainly, the respective governments of both Australia and New Zealand think not. So why then the paranoia? Quite simply, we need the US more than they need us. In order to secure the TPP (and with it, for example, access to the lucrative US dairy market), both Australia and New Zealand will likely need to yield in several key areas.
Rejecting free trade requires new forms of regionalism
13-Jun-2013 Islands Business
Papua New Guinea’s trade Minister, Richard Maru, recently set a cat amongst the pigeons by saying that PNG was not interested in the regional trade negotiations known as PACER-Plus. “We can’t export our taro there, they won’t accept our greens...There’s nothing to be gained from a trade agreement at the moment. ‘We cannot justify the huge amount of resources we expend on such negotiations. They are a complete waste of time.”
Farmers push for FTA with China
3-Jun-2013 Financial Review
The Australian government is under pressure to conclude a free-trade agreement with China in an effort to help restore the competitiveness of Australian farmers, who have been hurt by the high dollar and rising costs.
ASEAN+6 start regional FTA talks
10-May-2013
ASEAN trade officials, along with its six partners, kicked off talks on a regional trade agreement in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, on Thursday. The talks began with the establishment of the trade negotiating committee that would discuss various trade and investment issues until next Monday, Trade Ministry director general for international trade cooperation Iman Pambagyo said.
Cars and cattle clash on Japan free trade agreement
19-Apr-2013 The Australian
Australia’s meat exporters believe they are being sacrificed for the benefit of the car industry as negotiations for the Australia-Japan free trade agreement draw closer to conclusion.
China FTA abandoned
19-Apr-2013 The Australian
The Gillard government has abandoned a comprehensive free-trade agreement with China to focus on a "trimmed-down" agriculture deal, according to The Australian
Free trade agreements no farm saviour, analysts warn
18-Apr-2013 ABC
FTAs will result in political agreements which won’t bring substantial tariff reductions on Australian agricultural goods
Australia, Japan close to signing FTA
18-Apr-2013 Japan Daily Press
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade revealed on Wednesday that the country is very close to finally formalizing a free trade agreement with Japan.
Free trade talks deadlocked over foreign investment restrictions
18-Apr-2013 The Australian
Chinese political leaders had made the lifting of foreign investment restrictions on state-owned enterprises a non-negotiable condition of any free trade talks with Australia.
PM hails historic deal with China
10-Apr-2013 Sky News
Asutralian Prime Minister Julia Gillard says talks on a free trade agreement between China and Australia will continue next month.
Australia eyes conclusion of FTA talks with China
8-Apr-2013
Though talks on a free trade agreement with China have lagged for years, Australia wants to finish them to further boost bilateral economic ties, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Sunday.
Japan, Australia achieve FTA breakthrough on farm products
8-Apr-2013
Japan and Australia have reached a broad agreement on how to deal with farm products as they continue negotiations on a bilateral free-trade agreement, government sources said Sunday.
Australian-US alliance a factor in Chinese investment decisions
1-Mar-2013 ABC
The growing size and value of China’s investments in Australia makes the case for a bilateral investment treaty increasingly urgent, according to a leading China expert.
Women and Trans Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement
11-Feb-2013 AFTINET
The Australian Fair Trade & Investment Network (AFTINET) presents a special seminar to mark the lead-up to International Women’s Day and the 16th Round of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) negotiations being held in Singapore, on March 5, at 12.15 pm in the Waratah Room at NSW Parliament.
Reko Diq: the other side
5-Feb-2013
Earlier last month, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry declared null and void the Reko Diq gold and copper mine agreement, the Chagai Hills Exploration Joint Venture Agreement (CHEJVA), with Tethyan Copper Company (TCC).
The Reko Diq Saga
5-Feb-2013
The Supreme Court recently declared void and illegal a mining deal for the Reko Diq copper project signed 20 years ago between the Balochistan government and international mining companies.
Fifth round of proposed India-Australia FTA talks in April
30-Jan-2013
India and Australia are expected to hold the fifth round of negotiations in April in a bid to fast track talks for the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Free trade should follow fair elections
11-Jan-2013
Should Australia be signing up, and giving the gift of a Free Trade Agreement with countries that are manifestly undemocratic and authoritarian?
Treaty shopping: How Philip-Morris cherry-picked worst case BITs
3-Dec-2012 Infojustice.org
Australia’s new stance against investor-State arbitration may do nothing to prevent claims being brought in the future.
Senate passes Malaysia free trade deal
29-Nov-2012
Senators on Thursday approved legislation to implement the agreement, which will lead to almost all Australian goods being able to enter Malaysia free of import duties.