Can PACER Plus work without PNG, Fiji?

PACER Plus, the Pacific Island free trade agreement,  will be examined at a public hearing on Monday by the Federal Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Treaties.

The Australian Government expects PACER Plus to encourage economic growth and social stability in the Pacific region by freeing up trade and investment opportunities.

However, the two largest Pacific Island economies, Papua New Guinea and Fiji, have not signed the agreement.

Committee Chair Stuart Robert MP said while PACER Plus offered many advantages for Pacific Island nations, some issues remain, including why PNG and Fiji decided not to take part.

“PACER Plus presents an opportunity for Pacific Island economies to grow beyond the need for development assistance, but the absence of countries that make up over 80 per cent of the region’s economic capacity is a concern for the Committee,” Mr Robert said.

The Committee will also examine PACER Plus’ impact on Pacific Island government revenues, public health, and business capacity.

Public hearing details: 11.00am – 12.50pm, Monday 26 March 2018, Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

11.00am:     Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA)
11.30am:     Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network (AFTINET)
12.00pm:     Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
12.50pm:     Close

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live

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