International Trade Policy

Representing Australian exporters

Ai Group's International Trade Policy team is responsible for advocating industry’s view to the Australian Government as it negotiates market access for Australian goods and services via a range of bilateral, regional and global forums. As a result, Ai Group works closely with Government and member companies to ensure industry's specific interests are safeguarded. 

The Australian Government is currently negotiating multilateral agreements under the World Trade Organisation, and bilateral agreements with Japan, China and Malaysia.

Fact Sheets and Ai Group submissions on the full range of current trade policy topics are available for background information:

Free Trade Agreements
Calls for industry input
Government Support Programs

For more information on trade and commercial policy contact: Innes Willox or call tel: (03) 9867 0198.

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs):

In force

• ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA
• Australia-Chile FTA
• Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations
• Australia-United States FTA
• Singapore-Australia FTA
• Thailand-Australia FTA

Under negotiation

• Australia-China FTA
• Australia-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) FTA
• Australia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement
• Australia-Japan FTA
• Australia-Korea FTA
• Australia-Malaysia FTA
• Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
• Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus
• Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

Calls for industry input

Have your say: Consultation on Chemical Security - Regulation Impact Statement (RIS)

In February 2012, the Attorney-General's Department (AGD) will call for public submissions on a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) that analyses four options for reducing the security risks posed by a number of chemicals that can be used to make homemade explosives. AGD is particularly interested in feedback from businesses that import, manufacture, distribute, transport, handle or use products containing the chemicals. AGD expects the RIS to be available for comment from 3 February to 30 March 2012.

For further information on the RIS, including the list of precursor chemicals, please refer to the AGD Chemical Security program website: www.chemicalsecurity.gov.au/RIS.

Members who would like to contribute issues for inclusion in Ai Group's submission should contact Rebecca Walker before Friday 23 March.

Have your say: White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century

The Australian Government has commissioned a White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century to consider the likely economic and strategic changes in the region and what more can be done to position Australia for the Asian Century. Specifically, the paper will include:

• the current and likely future course of economic, political and strategic change in Asia, encompassing China, India, the key ASEAN countries as well as Japan and the Republic of Korea;
• the domestic economic and social opportunities and challenges of the Asian Century for Australia;
• opportunities for a significant deepening of our engagement with Asia across the board, including in the economy, science and technology collaboration, clean energy, education, business-to-business and people-to-people links and culture;
• the political and strategic implications of the Asian Century for Australia; and
• the role of effective economic and political regional and global cooperation.

Ai Group will make a submission as part of the consultation process being conducted by a Task Force commissioned by the Prime Minister. To assist in the preparation of submissions, the Task Force Advisory Panel has released an Issues Paper that outlines broad issues and asks questions to prompt further discussion. Read the Terms of Reference, about governance and timelines, and the public consultation process.

Members who would like to contribute issues for inclusion in the submission should contact Rebecca Walker before Thursday, 16 February.

Have your say: Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement - involvement by Japan, Canada and Mexico

The government's highest regional trade negotiation priority is the conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). This agreement will build on the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (P4) between Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore, which entered into force in 2006. The TPP includes the P4 Parties as well as Australia, Peru, the USA, Vietnam and Malaysia. Japan, Canada and Mexico have formally expressed interest in joining the TPP negotiations. Read the latest TPP negotiation news and stakeholder submissions provided through the consultation process to date.

Key interests and benefits

• The TPP has the potential to form a building block for Asia-Pacific regional economic integration. It is in Australia's interests to be involved in order to shape the direction of the initiative.
• Regional rules of origin will provide new opportunities for Australian exporters to tap into global supply chains.
• The TPP could provide additional market access for goods and services into the markets of existing FTA and future TPP partners.
• Inclusion of Investment and Financial Services chapters in the TPP could provide improved opportunities for Australian financial services providers by mitigating barriers, such as foreign restrictions on capital and investment flows.
• The TPP provides a framework for engaging with Peru. In particular there is potential for better access for dairy products and mining services to Peru.

Ai Group will make a submission as part of the consultation process with stakeholders regarding the possible involvement by Japan, Canada and Mexico in the TPP. Members who would like to contribute issues for inclusion in the submission should contact Rebecca Walker before Friday, 3 February.

Government Support Programs
The EMDG Scheme Review: Ai Group submission November 2004.