About AFTINET

AFTINET is a national network of community organisations and many individuals concerned about trade and investment policy.

AFTINET grew out of the successful campaign by community organisations against the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI), which had attempted to restrict the ability of governments to regulate both investment and key areas of social policy.

The collapse of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Doha round of trade negotiations at the end of 2011 showed that the world trading system is failing to meet the needs of developing countries for fairer trade rules which do not erode social policies.

Community organisations have continued the debate about international trade agreements and have demanded greater accountability by the Australian government for its role in the WTO and in bilateral and regional trade agreements like the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.

AFTINET supplies education materials, regular bulletins and speakers at public events. We make submissions to government and opposition parties to change Australian trade policy. We form links with similar organisations in other countries to argue for different and fairer rules for international trade and investment. We also:

monitors trade and investment negotiation processes;
establishes contacts with similar international networks;
exchanges information and basic educational material on trade issues;
raises community awareness and debate through public events and activities and
seeks to change trade and investment policy based on these principles

To read more about the work that we're doing currently see our campaigns [1].

Whilst AFTINET does not sell fair-traded products for more information about companies that do please see our links [2] page.

You can become an individual or organisational member/supporter of AFTINET. Members have voting rights and are bound by the constitution. To become a member or supporter of AFTINET click here [3].

AFTINET structures and constitution

The AFTINET constitution provides a basic democratic structure for the organisation. Members elect a working group which administers the organisation. The working group keeps membership and financial records and reports to annual general meetings of members. AFTINET is registered under Commonwealth legislation as a company limited by guarantee to limit the financial liability of members to their membership fee.

Organisations and individuals who do not wish to become members can become subscribers. This means they receive all other benefits of membership but cannot vote at meetings and are not bound by the constitution.

A copy of the constitution is available from campaign@aftinet.org.au [4].