ISDS Case Map
PACER | PACER Plus
Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations
Governments in Australia and New Zealand are keen to assure Pacific nations that relations with the region are marked by ‘shared development goals', but as Maureen Penjueli writes, the islands' ‘big brothers' have been pushing an agenda of their own--especially when it comes to negotiating a regional free trade agreement.
The Rudd government has made much of its 'new approach' to Australia's island neighbours, but the view from the Pacific -- especially of the aggressive pursuit of a new free trade deal as part of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) -- is that not much has changed.
Not all Pacific Islands countries are ready to open their doors to free trade under the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA), according to the Pacific Islands ACP Trade Ministers' Meeting that was held in Fiji this week.
The Rudd Government has made much of its “new approach” to Australia's island neighbours, but the view from the Pacific is that not much has changed.
Under pressure to sign on to new free trade agreements, Pacific Islands governments interested in securing positive outcomes for their peoples see deals on labour mobility as potential development gains. But is this the right approach? And what are the potential costs?
Australia has been accused of trying to fast-track new free trade negotiations with Pacific Island countries at a recent regional trade ministers' meeting in the Cook Islands.
The Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) has written to the interim Government to include workers in talks regarding the various trade agreements Fiji is treaty to.
New letters show extent of dissent among Pacific trade ministers as ministers accuse top EU trade official of being "domineering" and using divide and rule tactics to split the region.
The tiny island nations of the south Pacific should have high ambitions heading into free trade negotiations with Australia, Trade Minister Simon Crean says.
Some Pacific island countries stand to lose up to US$10 million annually in revenue due to trade liberalisation under the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations, according to a report commissioned by the Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Forum
