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AANZFTA

Negotiations on this free trade agreement between the 10 ASEAN governments and those of Australia and New Zealand were concluded in Singapore in August 2008. The agreement was subsequently signed in February 2009 and came into force on 1 January 2010.

The ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA) envisions a regional common market by 2015, and marks the first time that Australia and New Zealand have been involved jointly in negotiating an FTA with third countries. It was also the first time ASEAN embarked on comprehensive FTA negotiations covering all sectors, including goods, services, investment and intellectual property, simultaneously.

The Textile Clothing & Footwear Union of Australia opposed the deal because of the impact of further trade liberalization on these manufacturing sectors and workers in Australia, and human rights concerns regarding Burma. Both the Green Party of New Zealand and human rights activists raised concerns about agreements with some ASEAN governments because of their human rights records. In the ASEAN countries, numerous activist groups also protested the rush into this FTA, especially during a global economic crisis that is hitting local workers hard.

last update: May 2012
Photo: Daveandlolo/CC BY 2.0


PH inks second protocol to ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand free trade deal
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently announced the Philippines’ signing of the second protocol to the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement during the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit. This agreement aims to facilitate trade and investment opportunities for businesses, including micro, small, and medium enterprises, by reducing trade barriers and enhancing market access.
Investment changes coming to ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand free trade agreement
On 21 August 2023, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand brought several amendments, improvements and additions to their longstanding free trade agreement known as AANZFTA
Government revisits trade clause that allowed Clive Palmer lawsuits
Clive Palmer’s move to sue the government in a secretive international tribunal highlights the need to amend Australia’s trade policy to prevent claims that could hamper emissions reduction efforts.
ASEAN signs upgrade for Australia, NZ free trade area deal
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has signed the amendment to improve the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area.
Clive Palmer sues Australia for $41.3bn over alleged free trade rule breach
Clive Palmer’s Zeph Investment’s second case against Australia is a $41.3bn claim that it breached the Asean free trade agreement in relation to coal exploration permits, it has emerged.
How Clive Palmer is suing Australia for $300 billion with the help of an obscure legal clause (and Christian Porter)
Australian business figure Clive Palmer is suing the Australian government for almost A$300 billion in an international tribunal, having lost a case against the Western Australian government he took all the way to the High Court.
Clive Palmer hires Christian Porter for $300bn lawsuit against Australian government
Clive Palmer’s Singapore-based company Zeph Investments is suing Australia for $296bn, enlisting the help of former attorney general Christian Porter in a landmark case arguing a breach of the Asean free trade deal.
ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand complete negotiation for FTA upgrade
The Joint Committee (FJC) for the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) agreement has completed the negotiations for upgrading the plurilateral free trade deal at its recent 20th meeting in Indonesia.
AFTINET submission to the review of ISDS in the Australia-NZ-ASEAN free trade agreement
The AFTINET submission provides evidence of the harmful use of ISDS over the last decade against public regulation on health, indigenous rights, the environment and most recently against policies to reduce carbon emissions.
Asean free trade agreement with Australia and New Zealand upgraded for times of crisis
ASEAN member states, Australia and New Zealand have substantially concluded negotiations to upgrade a free trade agreement (FTA), which will include new features to ensure the continued flow of essential goods during times of crisis.

    Links


  • AANZFTA website
    Official website of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand free trade agreement