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Australia

Aussie FTA said still far off as talks end
20-Feb-2012 Japan Times
A four-day meeting between Japan and Australia on reaching a bilateral free-trade agreement ended Friday in Tokyo, with officials saying the two sides addressed a wide range of areas, including agricultural products, automobiles and energy.
India loses arbitration case against Oz firm
9-Feb-2012
In a stinging indictment of the slow speed with which the higher judiciary decides cases and lackadaisical manner in which the government deals with disputes involving foreign companies doing business in India, a three-member international arbitration panel has decided a case against the Government of India and a PSU.
Mafta to boost M’sia-Australia trade, investment ties
31-Jan-2012
The proposed Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA) will elevate the bilateral trade and investment relations of both nations to a new level, and build further on the achievements of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA).
Big Tobacco vs Australia: Philip Morris scores an own goal
23-Jan-2012 The Conversation
It appears as though Philip Morris Asia only acquired its Australian companies in order to be able to launch a claim against the government under the Australia-Hong Kong BIT.
FTA deal with Korea reaches critical phase
17-Jan-2012
Australian beef exports are in danger being put at long-term disadvantage against US competitors in the Korean market unless rapid progress can be made in Free Trade Agreement discussions in coming months.
RI to fully implement free trade deal with OZ, NZ
10-Jan-2012
Under the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Indonesia is set on Tuesday to fully implement a free trade agreement (FTA) with neighboring Australia and New Zealand.
Tariffs tumble — will prices follow?
10-Jan-2012 Jakarta Post
Although politicians are trumpeting the agreement as a major advance, Australasia will be the prime beneficiary getting easier access to ASEAN markets — around 625 million people.
India eyes overseas job market, plans to ink pacts with EU, Oz
9-Jan-2012 Times of India
The Indian government is negotiating human resource mobility partnership agreements with the Netherlands, France, Australia and the European Union in a move aimed at greater inroads for Indian professionals into such markets.
Indonesia to sign FTA tomorrow
9-Jan-2012
Indonesia will sign the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA) tomorrow.
Trade agreement strengthens Fiji’s ties with Australia
28-Dec-2011 ABC
Australia’s Labor government has approved an extension of the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (SPARTECA) with Fiji despite remaining "deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Fiji."
Philip Morris Limited files high court challenge against the Australian government over plain packaging
20-Dec-2011 Philip Morris Ltd
"We believe plain packaging violates the Australian Constitution because the Government is seeking to acquire our property without paying compensation," the company states
Air of intrigue in move against plain packaging
25-Nov-2011 Canberra Times
Despite the compelling rationale that the public has a stake, Philip Morris’ claims will not be heard in an Australian court by respected judges, but by an ad-hoc tribunal that will meet in Singapore or another foreign country.
US to fight cyber wars with free trade
25-Nov-2011 Sydney Morning Herald
Selling Aussie technology to the US military just got easier.
Cigarette plain packaging laws pass Parliament
21-Nov-2011
The Federal Government’s plain packaging laws for cigarettes have now passed both houses of Parliament but are facing their first legal challenge.
Beware the limits of latest free trade deal
20-Nov-2011
Despite claims to the contrary by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the nine-country Trans-Pacific Partnership announced this week is not good news for Australia.
Free trade pact a dud for Australia
5-Nov-2011
The Australia-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has just completed its seventh year. The US Bureau of Census calculated that most marriages that end last for eight years - the itch is supposed to begin in the seventh - so the fundamental issue is whether the relationship has been good for both parties.
US courts Australia in Pacific free trade push
5-Nov-2011
The US has spoken out about its desire to unite with Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and other nations in a powerful trans-Pacific free trade bloc.
TPPA ’threatens national sovereignty’
21-Oct-2011 IT Wire
Despite the secrecy, there are some intrepid souls who are mounting opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership. Interview with one of them, Jane Kelsey, a professor of law at the University of Auckland and long-term academic activist in the area of free trade and investment agreements.
Govt likely to expand compensation for farmers
21-Oct-2011 Yomiuri Shimbun
With participation in Trans-Pacific Partnership comprehensive trade talks and resumption of an economic partnership agreement with Australia on the horizon, the Japanese government is likely to increase its direct payments to farmers by several hundred billion yen, it has been learned.
Japan, Australia diplomats agree to work toward restart of FTA talks
9-Sep-2011 Mainichi
Japan’s new Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba and his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd agreed Thursday that the two countries will work toward restarting talks on a bilateral free trade agreement