Submission of the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network (AFTINET) to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the proposed Australia United States Free Trade Agreement

churches, unions, environment groups, human rights and development groups and other community organisations and individuals which conducts public education and debate about trade policy. AFTINET supports the development of trading relationships with all countries and recognises the need for regulation of trade through the negotiation of international rules. We welcome the call for public submissions on the proposed Australia-US Free Trade Agreement. However, we note that the call for public submissions was made late in November and that the deadline is mid-January, a period which includes the Christmas and summer holiday period for most Australians, and so effectively shortens the time available. Consequently our submission will summarise our general concerns. Members of our network will make more detailed submissions on areas of particular concern to them. Overview This submission begins by addressing the general issues of Australia’s bargaining position relative to the US in negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), an