Pacific trade agreement opponents to have their say

AUSTRALIAN, Tongan and Fijian opponents to a new Pacific trade agreement will give evidence at a parliamentary hearing tomorrow.

Witnesses from the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) and Public Services International will provide evidence at the hearing, part of an inquiry into the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus).

Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee’s Sub-Committee on Trade, John McVeigh, said the hearing was an important opportunity for the Sub-Committee to hear all views on Pacific trade.

PACER Plus is an agreement yet to be ratified with 13 other members of Pacific Islands Forum that it is hoped will encourage a stronger regional trading system between Pacific island countries.

Further details about the about the inquiry, including terms of reference, details on how to contribute a submission and, when available, details of public hearings and roundtable discussions, can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday 3 September 2020
Times: 10am to 11:15am
Location: Committee Room IR3, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be audio streamed live at aph.gov.au/live.

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