China-Australia Free Trade Agreement passes through House of Representatives

Canberra, October 22, AZERTAC

The House of Representatives has voted to allow the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) to go ahead, according to ABC.

A deal was struck yesterday between Labor and the Federal Government which addressed concerns about foreign labor laws.

Trade Minister Andrew Robb told Parliament it was a landmark agreement that would provide benefits in the years ahead.

“ChAFTA represents an agreement of outstanding quality between two highly complementary economies,” Mr Robb said.

“My Chinese counterpart minister Gao Hucheng has described the deal as the most liberalizing trade agreement China has ever signed.”

Greens MP Adam Bandt had sought to move amendments, claiming there was a “loophole” that would have allowed businesses to bring in an “unlimited number of workers” from overseas without advertising first.

The enabling legislation passed on the voices, with the changes moving to the Senate.

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