{Independent Senator for South Australia, Nick Xenophon, has slammed the signing of the free trade agreement with Japan today as a costly and secretive folly, revealing figures showing growing trade imbalances resulting from similar deals in the past decade.} Far from the hype that will surround the signing today, Senator Xenophon called for: The public release of the text of the Japan FTA, which remains secret. A pause before ratifying the agreement, until an independent, realistic assessment of the supposed benefits expected under the final text of the deal is conducted, in line with a Productivity Commission report recommendation in 2010. The release of the real cost to the tax payer of preparing the deal, which took a decade of in-depth diplomatic negotiations to arrive at but which has never been costed. Senator Xenophon pointed to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showing that four free trade agreements, finalised since 2003, have led to worsening trade imbalances with partner countries.Senator Xenophon pointed to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showing that four free trade agreements, finalised since 2003, have led to worsening trade imbalances with partner countries. nickxenophon.au/media/releases/show/sweet-fta/
Posted on: Wed, 09 Jul 2014 04:04:14 +0000
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