Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

Labor won't be supporting this amendment. I support the comments made by the minister. Labor has also repeatedly and consistently raised deep concerns about the situation in Hong Kong and our very strong belief that people have the right to protest peacefully. Further, through our lead shadow ministers we have been urging all parties to find a peaceful resolution to the current unrest, over the last six months or so, that is consistent with the 'one country, two systems' arrangement.

I think Senator Steele-John has raised concerns, in other parts of the debate on this bill, about the situation with tobacco companies. In particular, I think he raised Philip Morris and the ability to sue the Australian government over the plain packaging. One of the issues that will be resolved under the ratification of this new agreement with Hong Kong is the implementation of the modern ISDS clauses, which will not allow that situation to occur. So, in a sense, Senator Steele-John, what you're arguing for is that we halt the ratification process for the new Hong Kong agreement and, in its place, leave the old ISDS clauses, which would allow that situation to occur again.

We note Senator Steele-John's continued criticism of the Labor Party. I think it's very easy, when you're not a party of government, to sit there and point the finger when you don't actually ever have to make the really difficult decisions. There are mixed views and there is a balance to find and a position where you have to consider a whole range of competing interests when you make decisions in areas like this. The Greens party has never had to do that and, presumably, won't ever have to do it, so it is easy. It is harder being a party of government when those decisions are not always black and white. We do acknowledge that Australia's trade agreements create jobs, lift living standards and, over the many years we've had them in place, have contributed to a significant increase in household wealth in this country. We can all sit here and point the finger. I think it's a lot harder when you have to make decisions that are in the national interest and not just in the interest of a particular section of that community.

With respect, we note your comments. We disagree with them. We will continue to be an opposition that looks at every piece of legislation on its merits, and we will decide our position on it based on the national interest and the values and principles that the Labor Party has held for many, many years. That is why we have landed where we have, with the appropriate safeguards and commitments and concessions that the government has provided, which, frankly, Senator Steele-John, is more than you've been able to deliver.