Labor will refer any Free Trade Agreement
concluded between the Australian and US Governments to a Senate Select Committee for
thorough examination.
This will provide an effective democratic and
transparent process to review the FTA in its totality to be sure it is in Australia's
national interest. If the FTA does not meet Labor's national interest criteria, Labor will
not support it, or its legislative passage, through Parliament.
The possibility of an Australia-US FTA has
significant implications for Australia's economy and trading interests.
It also has the potential for major impact on
many of Australia's social policies, including the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS),
and local content provisions for Australian culture in current and future audio-visual
media.
Labor is concerned at the Government's rush to
meet a self-imposed deadline in the negotiations. This must be a good deal, not a fast
deal.
Labor supports the principles of free trade,
especially in multilateral agreements. With bilateral agreements however, we must be
careful to ensure that net gain flows to Australia.
The proposed Australia-US FTA must:
Deliver significant and comprehensive
benefits to Australia, including in agriculture (dairy, beef and sugar) in a reasonable
period of time (For instance, the NFF has indicated 5 years).
Deliver significant employment and
investment gains for Australia's manufacturing and service industries.
Not undermine the ability of Australian
Governments to provide and regulate essential services in health and education, including
the PBS.
Not undermine the capacity of Australian
Governments to protect Australian culture by regulating for local content in the future
delivery of audio-visual products.
Not undermine the sovereignty of Australian
Government laws and regulations or expose them to potential legal challenge by US
companies.
Not undermine Australia's access to Asian
markets (the primary destination for our exports) or our WTO and APEC objectives.
These and other features must pass proper
parliamentary scrutiny. The Howard Government has excluded other parties and the public
from the negotiating process. On two occasions the Government has refused Labor's request
to be part of the negotiating team.
A Senate Select Committee will overcome this
lack of transparency and ensure that the Australian people can have their say about the
FTA.
Labor will always put Australia first and
ensure that trade deals serve our national interest before passing them into law.
