Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 54, standing in my name for today, concerning an order for the production of documents relating to the WTO government procurement agreement.

Leave granted.

I amend the motion by in paragraph (2) omitting '3 pm on 10 October 2016' and substituting '3.30 pm on 12 October 2016'. I move:

That—

(1) The Senate notes that:

(a) the Government is currently in negotiations with the 45 of 164 World Trade Organisation (WTO) member countries that have acceded to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement, and that Australia is negotiating to accede to the agreement; and

(b) these negotiations are being held in secret but could have profound effects on the ability of future Australian governments to use Government procurement for local industry development.

(2) There be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, by no later than 3.30 pm on 12 October 2016, the Australian offer made and responses to date to that offer.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government opposes Senator Xenophon's motion that Australia's offer made as part of negotiations to accede to the World Trade Organisation government procurement agreement and responses to that offer be laid on the table. As is standard treaty-making practice adopted by coalition and Labor governments alike, working documents related to Australia's treaty negotiations are not publicly available nor would we make public the documents of our negotiating partners who share them with us in confidence. I table a letter from the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment to Senator Xenophon dated 30 August 2016 and relating to this matter.

Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This motion is about transparency. There is a lack of transparency in our trade agreements in this country. We simply are seeking a similar degree of transparency that, for instance, the United States has. This agreement has huge implications for every Australian company that seeks to be part of the $60 billion a year that the Commonwealth spends on procuring goods and services. There is a real risk that this will affect Australian jobs and Australian manufacturing.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that notice of motion No. 54 as amended, moved by Senator Xenophon, be agreed to.