The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has recommended the Australian Government ratifies the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA). This comes shortly after the Committee recommended ratification of the free trade agreement with the United Kingdom.

Media release issue date: Friday, 18 November 2022

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has recommended the Australian Government ratifies the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA). This comes shortly after the Committee recommended ratification of the free trade agreement with the United Kingdom. Committee Chair, Mr Josh Wilson MP said, “this ‘early harvest’ agreement with India paves the way for further trade, market access, investment and regulation that requires global cooperation. The AI-ECTA also ensures that Australia will not be excluded from improved trade and market access which may arise from agreements India subsequently negotiates with other nations. “As an interim agreement however, the AI-ECTA is not as comprehensive in its scope and coverage as other trade agreements and under-achieves in areas of potential and immediate interest to Australia such as, wine. “As Australia moves towards a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, the Committee has noted the importance of improved tariff reductions, greater access to services, and on broader matters like intellectual property, cultural heritage, the environment, and labour rights.” The Committee also took the opportunity in this report to express concerns regarding the extent and quality of consultation, transparency of negotiations, and lack of independent modelling and analysis of trade agreements. In doing so, the Committee again recommended the Australian Government implements the recommendations made in Report 193: Strengthening the Trade Agreement and Treaty-Making Process in Australia. The Report can be found on the Committee website, along with further information on the inquiry. Media inquiries Mr Tim Watkin, Chief of Staff 0434 555 823 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing on Thursday 13 October 2022 into the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA).

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 12 October 2022

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing on Thursday 13 October 2022 into the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA). The AI-ECTA is an interim agreement that deals with a smaller range of matters than typically found in a comprehensive agreement. It contains 14 chapters and a range of side letters, and is intended to establish a framework for future economic, trade and investment interactions between Australia and India. “India is a complex market for Australian exporters,” Committee Chair, Mr Josh Wilson MP, said. “India looks for balance between openness to foreign trade and concern for the livelihoods of Indian small businesses. The Committee is keen to explore how Australia fared in striking this balance in the AI-ECTA.” “The Committee looks forward to hearing from a range of representatives who can speak to the substance of the AI-ECTA and the ways in which it might benefit and otherwise impact Australian businesses and consumers.” Public hearing details Date: Thursday, 13 October 2022 Time: 9.00 am – 12.30 pm AEDT The program for this hearing is also available online. Further information on the inquiry can be found on the Committee website. Media inquiries Mr Tim Watkin, Chief of Staff 0434 555 823 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4002 jsct@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.