Free trade agreement: Voters oppose China-Australia deal after hearing controversial elements: poll

By political reporter Dan Conifer

Updated 24 Jun 2015, 11:13am


Voters in marginal seats across four states strongly oppose key aspects of Australia's free trade agreement (FTA) with China, according to an opinion poll.

The two countries signed the agreement last week, with the Prime Minister Tony Abbott hailing it as "history making".

The deal could see prices on electronics fall for Australian consumers, and eliminate tariffs on various commodity and agriculture exports to China.

But more than 90 per cent of people surveyed by UMR Research said they would oppose the agreement altogether if the following two parts were included:

- First, Chinese investors in infrastructure projects valued at $150 million or more being able to bring in Chinese workers without advertising jobs locally.

- Second, Chinese firms gaining some rights to sue Australian governments for policy changes that adversely affect their interests. (See thread on ISDS in global board)
              ++++++++++++++++++

Rethink this agreement Mr Robb and the coming TPP.
In fact, perhaps you should ask yourself if you're the right person to be handling this matter.

bogarde73 wrote on Jul 28^th, 2015 at 9:29am:

Free trade agreement: Voters oppose China-Australia deal after hearing controversial elements: poll By political reporter Dan Conifer Updated 24 Jun 2015, 11:13am Voters in marginal seats across four states strongly oppose key aspects of Australia's free trade agreement (FTA) with China, according to an opinion poll. The two countries signed the agreement last week, with the Prime Minister Tony Abbott hailing it as "history making". The deal could see prices on electronics fall for Australian consumers, and eliminate tariffs on various commodity and agriculture exports to China. But more than 90 per cent of people surveyed by UMR Research said they would oppose the agreement altogether if the following two parts were included: - First, Chinese investors in infrastructure projects valued at $150 million or more being able to bring in Chinese workers without advertising jobs locally. - Second, Chinese firms gaining some rights to sue Australian governments for policy changes that adversely affect their interests. (See thread on ISDS in global board)               ++++++++++++++++++ Rethink this agreement Mr Robb and the coming TPP. In fact, perhaps you should ask yourself if you're the right person to be handling this matter.

What a sellout this agreement is.  There is no doubt whatsoever that this traitorous government governs for the interests of the few. 

No, before you put your foot in it, there are people on both sides who have prospered this pathway.
See Mr Crean in the media as an example.
They have all been at it for years now.

bogarde73 wrote on Jul 28^th, 2015 at 9:41am:

No, before you put your foot in it, there are people on both sides who have prospered this pathway. See Mr Crean in the media as an example. They have all been at it for years now.

Sorry are you saying that because Mr Crean has been in the pocket of the Business Unions and is selling the rest of us out its OK. Look, I'm not saying this to be nasty but Crean doesn't represent me just because he called (and perhaps still calls himself) labor.  And I don't buy a car just because its endorsed by a TV celebrity. 

No, I'm saying don't rush to judgement of one side of politics, either here or abroad, for as far as I can see both sides have been peddling this free trade agenda for years if not decades. Not to mention its evil offspring, the ISDS.
Look at Obama pulling out all the stops to get the TPP through, while people ostensibly on his side like Sen. Elizabeth Warren have been pushing back against him.

And quite frankly, Mr Robb's personal history calls his judgement into question for me.

bogarde73 wrote on Jul 28^th, 2015 at 10:09am:

No, I'm saying don't rush to judgement of one side of politics, either here or abroad, for as far as I can see both sides have been peddling this free trade agenda for years if not decades. Not to mention its evil offspring, the ISDS. Look at Obama pulling out all the stops to get the TPP through, while people ostensibly on his side like Sen. Elizabeth Warren have been pushing back against him.

IC, well turns out you were right, I jumped in too soon. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiSV1GmXvo4

If this is accurate, I am outraged.

If the FTA means free movement of Chinese labour to Australia then it is a deal that must be stopped.


Tge DFAT website says this:


China-Australia FTA (ChAFTA): myths versus realities
This document addresses some misconceptions about the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), signed in Canberra on 17 June 2015.

First myth: Chinese companies will have unrestricted access to Chinese workers for major projects, threatening Australian jobs
Reality: FALSE

ChAFTA will not allow unrestricted access to the Australian labour market by Chinese workers. It will not allow Australian employment laws or conditions to be undermined, nor allow companies to avoid paying Australian wages by using foreign workers.

Australia’s existing visa arrangements, including the 457 visa program, will continue to be the basis for implementing Australia’s commitments on labour mobility under ChAFTA. The 457 visa program assists employers to address labour shortages by bringing in genuinely skilled workers where they cannot find an appropriately skilled Australian. ChAFTA will not remove the need for employer sponsorship under the 457 visa programme.



Employee sponsorship rules under 457 visa regulation mean that the jobs need to be shown to be unfillable by local workers:

The Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457) allows skilled workers to come to Aust​ralia and work for an approved business for up to four years.

You must be sponsored by an approved business. A business can sponsor someone for this visa if they cannot find an Australian citizen or permanent resident to do the skilled work.

http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/457-

There are rorts or rumours of rorts of the 457 system. It is being reviewed.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/visa-review-jobs-list-to-be-examined/story-fn9hm1gu-1227411780127


Lobby your local member if you think you need to.

Careful comrades.  A bit of extra free trade might just lift employment.  you all might just find yourself a job and paying tax instead of loafing and listening to union porky pies..... :( :D

Swagman wrote on Jul 28^th, 2015 at 9:17pm:

Careful comrades.  A bit of extra free trade might just lift employment.  you all might just find yourself a job and paying tax instead of loafing and listening to union porky pies..... :( :D

Liberals do not govern for this country.  They only govern for their mates. From the moment Abbott took government he immediately perused that agenda without pause, without regard for any of the promises he made and without a shred of loyalty to the 99% of Australian's who interests he swore on election night that he would serve. This slimy government has to go!!!!!!