Prime Minister Tony Abbott has delivered a statement overnight, attacking Bill Shorten on his lack of support for the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
The statement accuses Opposition Leader Bill Shorten of taking orders from militant unionists despite a flurry of Labor luminaries supporting the deal.
“The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement means more jobs for Australians. Trade means jobs, and more trade means even more jobs,” the statement from Mr Abbott said.
“A fortnight ago, former NSW Premier and Foreign Minister Bob Carr came out in support of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. Last week, former Prime Minister Bob Hawke came out in support of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. Yesterday, South Australian Labor Premier Jay Weatherill came out in support of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
“And, this afternoon, Victorian Labor Premier Dan Andrews has come out in support of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
“The only person standing in the way of jobs and the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement is Bill Shorten – who is taking instructions from his union masters and the CFMEU.”
Mr Abbott said Bill Shorten and the Labor Party will be “sabotaging our economic future and will be turning their back on one of the greatest opportunities our country has ever been offered” if they try to reject the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
“I say to Bill Shorten: listen to decent Labor people, and stop dancing to the tune of the CFMEU standing in the way of jobs for Australian workers,” the Prime Minister said.
“This is a decisive moment for the economic future of Australia. Australia has nothing to fear and everything to gain from freer trade.
“We are in the right place at the right time, and – as far as my Government and I are concerned – we can, we must, and we will seize this moment.”
A report by the ABC today stated Mr Shorten refused to guarantee the agreement would be ratified by the Federal Parliament
He today refused to guarantee the agreement would be ratified by Federal Parliament.
“Labor wants to make sure that the free trade agreements are putting Aussie jobs first,” Mr Shorten reportedly said.
“Yes, I am different to Mr Abbott. I don’t automatically sign a blank cheque and not worry about the consequences on Australian jobs.”
In a July statement, Mr Shorten said the free trade agreement threatened local job opportunities.
“Labor also knows there are tremendous opportunities as global economic activity shifts to the Asia-Pacific. Growing and diversifying our relationship with China — our largest trading partner — will be critical. We need to export more agricultural goods and food products to China. We need to see advanced Australian manufacturing integrated into the regional supply chains that are centred on China. We need to export more sophisticated services to China — such as education, healthcare, aged care, financial services, business and professional services, and tourism,” the statement said.
“This is why both sides of politics have been negotiating for a free trade agreement with China. In government Labor worked to progress this deal.
“Unfortunately, Tony Abbott brought home an FTA with China that undermines safeguards for jobs. Abbott has broken the community compact that has always accompanied trade deals — that they promote Australian jobs. Safe, secure and well-paid jobs.
“Australia cannot and should not try to compete with other nations in a race to the bottom on wages and conditions. We should always play to our strengths as a high-skill, high-quality, fair-wage economy.”
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