Govt urged to outline aims before signing FTA
ABC News, Australia
Govt urged to outline aims before signing FTA
16 October 2008
The Federal Parliament’s treaties committee has called for the Government to set out its objectives before entering into negotiations on any future Free Trade Agreements (FTA).
The committee has recommended Australia sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Chile, but it has also noted complaints that unions and farmers have made about the negotiation process.
Committee chairman Labor MP Kelvin Thompson says Governments should formally set out their aims in Parliament before negotiations commence.
"The document should include an independent assessment of the costs and benefits," he said.
"Such assessments should include the economic, regional, social cultural, regulatory, environmental impacts which are expected to arise."
