ISDS Case Map
Australia
The Australian Workers Union (AWU) has renewed its calls for the federal government to protect jobs and producers from Chinese companies dumping subsidised goods in the local market.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has set a goal of achieving an expanded Pacific region free trade zone by the end of the year, bringing more nations into the TPP fold.
"Essentially, a deal with Australia is a prerequisite for participation in the TPP, making this a do-or-die moment for the Japanese administration," says the Mainchi Daily News
Japan and Australia resumed talks on Monday on their proposed Economic Partnership Agreement, or preferred trade arrangement, after they fell apart ten months ago.
Thailand will soon start talks with Australia on opening up the two countries' markets to more goods and services under their five-year-old free-trade agreement.
Concerns over attacks on Indian students in Australia and Australia's refusal to supply uranium to India have delayed free trade talks between the two countries.
Of particular concern is that proposed TPPA multilateral
investor–state dispute settlement procedures would allow
US corporations (as well as those of other TPPA nations) to
obtain damages against Australian governments through
international arbitral proceedings if their investments are
impeded by Australian public health and environment
protection legislation.
Big tobacco is hoping a new multilateral free trade agreement will enable it to sue the Federal Government if Australia introduces plain packaging for cigarettes in mid-2012 as planned.
Thirty years after officials began seriously negotiating the ground-breaking transtasman closer relations agreement, Australia is having doubts about the value of bilateral trade deals.
"Oversold" and failing to deliver any real benefits to business. That's the Productivity Commission's damning conclusion about Australia's six bilateral and regional trade agreements.
