The Australian Democrats have attacked the lack of detail of the proposed Free Trade Agreement with the United States announced earlier today.
The party’s leader, Senator Andrew Bartlett, has lamented the Senate’s lack of power to force changed to the FTA. The Democrats have also called for more parliamentary involvement in the treaty-making process.
- Listen to Bartlett (10m)
Text of media statement by the Leader of the Australian Democrats, Senator Andrew Bartlett, and the party’s spokesperson for Trade and Overseas Development, Senator Aden Ridgeway.
US Trade Deal: Australian People and Parliament Still in the Dark
The Australian Parliament and the Australian people still have little knowledge of the detail of the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement, say the Australian Democrats.
Democrats’ Trade spokesperson, Senator Aden Ridgeway, said that as negotiations have been conducted in secret there is no real idea of the extent of the compromises made in the agreement and the inconsistent messages from each side are cause for concern. [Read more…]
It is alleged that Bartlett abused and manhandled South Australian Liberal Senator Jeannie Ferris in a dispute over wine stolen from a Liberal Party Christmas party.
Breastfeeding will be allowed in the Australian Senate if a Procedure Committee recommendation, initiated by the Australian Democrats, is adopted by the Senate when it returns this month.
The Australian Democrats today said an investigation revealing the Anglican Church in Brisbane under Peter Hollingworth acted unfairly in dealing with complaints of sexual abuse confirmed serious concerns over Dr Hollingworth’s fitness to remain as Australian Governor-General.
I rise today to speak on the media.