Maritime Union of Australia Oppose China Trade Deal

 

The union movement’s opposition to the China Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) has ratcheted up since the agreement was signed in Canberra on June 17.

 

MUA Queensland branch secretary Bob Carnegie says his union controls all imports and exports and they're prepared to act against the deal, which he says is aimed at "breaking the back of trade unionism".

 

"All it needs is a phone call and the Maritime Union of Australia will stand by any worker, anywhere, who is fighting for a free and better Australia," he said.

 

About 400 people took part in the protest, held outside a Senate Joint Standing Committee on Treaties hearing into the deal.

 

ChAFTA allows for 95% of Australian exports to China to be tariff free. These will include many agricultural products, including beef and dairy. In addition, there will be liberalisation of market access for the Australia's services sector, and investments by private companies from China under A$1.078 billion will not be subject to Foreign Investment Review Board approval.

 

Queensland independent Senator Glenn Lazarus said the Abbott government was trying to hide the fact it was putting another country before Australia.

 

"If this trade agreement is so good then why is it so damned secretive?" Senator Lazarus told the rally.