Keep pushing free trade – TPP Report

The Treaties Committee today called on the Government to continue its commitment to free trade so the benefits of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) are not lost.

The Committee tabled its report recommending Australia ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), even though the TPP may not come into effect.

Committee Chair, Stuart Robert MP, says that Australia’s prosperity relies on our ability to sell products in overseas markets on fair terms.

The TPP would have removed barriers and red tape to give Australia a better chance at obtaining those fair terms.

The Report acknowledges that many participants in the inquiry had concerns about certain aspects of the TPP, but, taken as a whole, the TPP would have advanced free trade and provided opportunities for Australians.

Mr Robert says that the Australian Government needs to do its best to ensure that the benefits Australia obtained through the negotiation of the TPP are retained in future free trade negotiations.

In a world where protectionism and nationalism are on the rise, the Australian Government needs to keep reiterating the importance of free trade as a bulwark against international economic decline.

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website.

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