John Madigan (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Payne, the Minister representing the Minister for Trade and Investment. Minister, within 12 months of taking office the Abbott government concluded free trade agreements with South Korea, Japan and China. While celebrated as a win by the government, to many the speed was alarming, suggesting a new trade minister keen to get runs on the board may have given concessions beyond what was in the national interest. It seems these concerns were justified. In the case of the China free trade agreement, we will permit Chinese companies investing just $22 million into Australian based projects to bring in their own workers without having first to advertise for local workers. Minister, given the threat this poses to Australian jobs, will the government reconsider negotiating this aspect of the agreement?