Australia
In the last two years the Australian Government has finalised bilateral trade agreements with China, Korea and Japan, which are now in force. The Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement between 12 Pacific Rim countries has been agreed, but is being reviewed by a Parliamentary committees before Parliament votes on the implementing legislation. The TPP will not come into force until six of the 12 countries including the US and Japan pass the implementing legislation, which is expected to take two years.
The current conservative Coalition government has agreed to include Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions in the Korea and China bilateral FTAs as well as the TPP. ISDS allows foreign companies to bypass national courts and sue governments for compensation if they can argue that a change in law or policy harms their investment. The previous Labor government had a policy against ISDS, and even a previous Coalition government did not include ISDS in the Australia-US free trade agreement in 2004.
There is widespread opposition in the Australian community to the inclusion of ISDS in the TPP. The TPP is also controversial because it extends monopoly rights on expensive life-saving biologic medicines, which will mean more years of very high prices before cheaper versions become available. There are also grave concerns about its impacts on food labelling standards and expanded access for temporary workers without additional protection of workers’ rights. A recent World Bank study found that Australia was only likely to gain almost no economic benefit from the deal.
Australia is currently involved in multilateral negotiations towards the PACER-plus agreement with New Zealand and 14 Pacific Island countries, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Trade In Services Agreement (TISA). It is also negotiating bilateral trade agreements with India and Indonesia and will begin talks with Hong Kong and Taiwan later this year and the EU next year.
Contributed by AFTINET
last update: May 2016
The Morrison government hopes to pass legislation cobbling together three free-trade deals within months. Draft legislation to lock in trade pacts with Indonesia, Hong Kong and Peru was introduced to parliament on Wednesday.
The Australian red meat industry is calling on the government to ratify the free trade agreements with Indonesia and Hong Kong without delay.
Community groups representing millions say trade deals with Indonesia, Hong Kong and Peru put corporate rights before people and environment and urge Labor and cross-bench to oppose them.
Australia will ratify a controversial trade deal with Hong Kong despite growing concern over Chinese government control of the city and the brutal treatment of protesters demanding universal suffrage for its people.
Australia needs to consider its moments to push human rights issues with its largest trading partner.
Australia’s Consul-General to Hong Kong says three months of protests haven’t derailed a free trade agreement, due to be signed by the end of the year.Australia’s Consul-General to Hong Kong says three months of protests haven’t derailed a free trade agreement, due to be signed by the end of the year.
Australian Foreign Minister has urged the Hong Kong government to show a "commitment to negotiation" to end months of protests, as she welcomed its decision to withdraw an extradition bill that mobilised millions of opponents.
AFTINET has joined with the ACTU, APHEDA and other Union and community groups to stand in solidarity with workers and pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
Canberra must tread cautiously amid the political instability, the peak union body tells a parliamentary committee.
Australia is seeking an ambitious and comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) to drive Australian exports and economic growth.
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Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network (AFTINET)
AFTINET provides information, campaign materials, submissions and articles about Australia FTAs
bilaterals.org team, Jan 2021