The Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, has signed a free trade agreement with the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.
The agreement is called The Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA). It ensures that more than 97% of Australia’s exports to Japan will receive preferential access or enter duty-free.
The signing followed this morning’s speech by Abe to a joint sitting of the Parliament. [Read more…]
The newly re-elected Premier of Queensland, Peter Beattie, who lost so-called “sugar seats” in the election two days ago, has been quick to criticise the Free Trade Agreement with the United States announced today.
Text of media release from the Premier of Queensland, Peter Beattie.
Sour free trade deal means Howard must deliver $120M to sugar industry
Premier Peter Beattie is bitterly disappointed that the Federal Coalition left the sugar industry out of the Free Trade Agreement with the United States.
“Prime Minister Howard says the deal is “fantastic” but it is in fact a betrayal of the Queensland sugar industry,” Mr Beattie said.
“It has shattered hopes held by the sugar industry and the Queensland Government for fairer access to a market of 280 million people. [Read more…]
The Labor Opposition has attacked the Free Trade Agreement with the United States as a sell-out of Australian farmers, particularly those in the sugar, dairy and beef industries.
The agreement was announced today.
The ALP has also criticised the proposed changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and patent laws. [Read more…]
The National Farmers Federation says the Australia-United State Free Trade Agreement has benefits for Australian agricultural industries, but the US has failed to deliver on free trade in agriculture.
Text of media release from Peter Corish, President of the National Farmers Federation.
The US Australia Trade Agreement has benefits for several Australian agricultural industries, but the United States has failed to deliver on free trade in agriculture, National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President, Mr Peter Corish said today.
Mr Corish explained that market access gains had been achieved for Australia’s dairy, beef, horticulture, sheepmeat and wool sectors. [Read more…]