The Coalition has all-but confirmed it will try to sink a $10bn-a-year free trade deal with the EU, with Nationals leader Matt Canavan doubling down on his claim it represents \u201cthe worst deal ever\u201d because it falls short of beef industry demands.<\/p>\n
Canberra and Brussels finalised terms for the Australia-EU free trade agreement (FTA) in March, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen navigating airspaces shuttered by wars to formally close almost a decade of talks in Canberra.<\/p>\n
The deal, which both the Australian and European parliaments must ratify, would slash levies on 97.8 per cent of Australian exports to the EU.<\/p>\n
The Coalition has taken issue with the FTA\u2019s red meat quotas.<\/p>\n
Australian producers would be able to export 35,000 tonnes of beef tariff free \u2013 an eightfold increase on current levels.<\/p>\n
They would also be able to export 30,850 tonnes of sheep meat.<\/p>\n
But Senator Canavan on Wednesday accused Labor of \u201ctrying to pull the wool over farmers\u2019 eyes\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fundamental problem is that the deal is not reciprocal,\u201d the opposition trade spokesman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAustralia is effectively opening its market to European producers, including removing tariffs on all EU agricultural exports while key Australian agricultural exports into Europe will remain restricted by quotas, tariffs and massive European farm subsidies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is not genuine free trade.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said Trade Minister Don Farrell would not negotiate with the Coalition to reach consensus.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Labor raised issues about the China free trade agreement, and threatened to block its passage, we went back and renegotiated the deal to deliver bipartisan outcomes,\u201d Senator Canavan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy won\u2019t Labor do the same for Australia\u2019s interests here?\u201d<\/p>\n
His comments came in response to Senator Farrell warning it had \u201cbecome clear\u201d passage of the EU FTA \u201cthrough the parliament is not guaranteed\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn recent weeks, as politics in our country has shifted to entertain and reward populism, some in our parliament have been tempted to signal that they will oppose this agreement \u2013 choosing to chase headlines rather than practical outcomes,\u201d Senator Farrell told an Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry event.<\/p>\n
\u201cSadly, some of those who are indicating that they will try to block this agreement are the same members and senators who claim to represent the hardworking businesses in this very room.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018No second chance\u2019<\/p>\n
In a world rocked by wars and tariffs, Senator Farrell made the case for \u201cmore trade, not less\u201d, pointing to Australia\u2019s record $1.3 trillion in trade last year as proof that Labor\u2019s approach was working.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe world is currently falling into two groups \u2013 those putting up barriers, blocking markets, and imposing taxes and tariffs, and those continuing to build connection, strengthen trading relationships, and find new markets,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis government chooses to be the latter \u2013 we will not be tempted into the error, into the fallacy or into the lie that locking ourselves away from the world will help Australian business or consumers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will not send a message to the world that we are not open for business, that we are not interested in winning foreign investment, and that years of hard-fought negotiations can be sacrificed on the altar of someone\u2019s political ambition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking to the EU FTA, he cautioned \u201cthere is no second chance with the EU if we choose to walk away from this deal\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo those that seek to block this agreement, the question will come, now or later, why did you sacrifice gains for Australian exporters, Australian businesses, and Australian jobs just to chase a headline or a vote?\u201d Senator Farrell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow is the time for a unified Australia-first approach to free trade, not for dragging us back decades down the path of protectionism and isolation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both Australian and EU officials have said the FTA is also about sending a message to the US and China that economies can seek alternative trading partners if they flout international norms.<\/p>\n
Senator Farrell echoed that, saying that in \u201cuncertain times, Australia\u2019s answer should not be to retreat\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt should be to compete, to diversify, to build resilience, to back our businesses and to make sure the benefits of trade and tourism are felt by workers, families and communities right across Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Coalition has all-but confirmed it will try to sink a $10bn-a-year free trade deal with the 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