AFTINET tells DFAT review to drop corporate rights to sue governments from Bilateral Investment Treaties
September 30, 2020: AFTINET's submission to the Review of Bilateral investment Treaties (BITs) is here.
Latest News
Australia’s tentative steps in global cooperative effort on COVID-19 pandemic
September 28, 2020: Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison re-announced Australia’s A$80 million contribution to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) to the UN General Assembly on September 26.
Australian, New Zealand and British Unions warn against bad proposals in UK trade deal
September 23, 2020: As former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott now advises the British government in its trade negotiations with the European Union, Australia and New Zealand, the trade unions from the three countries have issued a united call for decent work and high standards of health, environment and public services.
Links to videos of AFTINET 20th Birthday Celebration
In case you missed our online 20th Birthday Party on Thursday September 17, 2020.
We had lots of positive messages that it was a great celebration of our collective efforts for trade justice.
Please feel free to share. through the links below.
Selected Chat from online AFTINET 20th Birthday Celebration
Clare Middlemas
Happy birthday AFTINET! Clare from the ACTU calling from the land of the Wurundjeri people.
Don Sutherland
Japan backs ISDS in fierce debate at Energy Charter Treaty review
September 17, 2020: Reports on the Energy Charter Treaty process to ‘modernise’ continue to demonstrate entrenched opposition to efforts to make it support the Paris Climate Agreement to limit global warming to less than 20C.
UK and Japan agree on trade deal that opens door for Britain to join the CPTPP
September 15, 2020: British trade Secretary Liz Truss and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu agreed in principle on September 11 to a free trade agreement, the UK’s first major trade deal as an independent trading nation.
The UK sees this deal forming a pathway to further market access under the 11-nation Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Transpacific Partnership (CPTPP), which Japan will support as part of the agreement.
ISDS, Climate Change provoke push to end the Energy Charter Treaty
September 10, 2020: The Energy Charter Treaty with its Investor-State Dispute Settlement provisions has become a major obstacle to the Paris Climate Agreement, and current European efforts to reform it appear unlikely to succeed. EU parliamentarians are now calling for states to withdraw from it by the end of 2020.
Pesticide residues in imported food – deregulation at work
September 8, 2020: A study published by Friends of the Earth Australia in May exposed a serious level of pesticide residues on foods imported into Australia in the period 2017-19. The data came from Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service monthly Failing Food Reports.
Greens propose further review of Australia - Hong Kong FTA but no support from major parties
September 7, 2020: The Australian Greens have called for the Australia – Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement, which came into force on January 17, 2020, to be reviewed by a Senate Committee following the imposition by the central government in Beijing of the National Security Law, but the government and the Labor Opposition blocked the move.