The Wire

Is free trade fair? Negotiations on the proposed Australia-China free trade agreement are set to continue in Beijing at the end of March. The government says an Australian-China free trade agreement will see our bottom line boom. Watch dog and industry organisations think the agreement – as it stands – will exploit workers in both countries, and in particular contribute to the demise of working class Australian manufacturers. Doctor Patricia Ranold of the Australian fair trade and investment network, cautions Australians to be conservative about optimism for free trade with China until both the Chinese and Australian governments are prepared to include human rights, labour conditions and environmental standards in discussions.