Recommendations

Recommendation 1

5.13    The committee recommends that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade conduct an evaluation of the consultation mechanisms used by the department.

Recommendation 2

5.15    The committee recommends that the Australian Government: provide public updates on each round of trade negotiations; release draft texts during negotiations where feasible and with appropriate safeguards; and table the text of proposed agreements in Parliament before they are signed.

Recommendation 3

5.17    The committee recommends the creation by legislation of an Accredited Trade Advisors program where industry, union and civil society groups would provide real time feedback on draft trade agreements during negotiations.

Recommendation 4

5.18    The committee recommends that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade review the stakeholder consultation mechanisms used internationally and assess their appropriateness for an Australian context and provide recommendations to government.

Recommendation 5

5.21    The committee recommends that before new free trade agreements are signed, the Australian Government commission the Productivity Commission to undertake independent economic modelling and that this modelling be released publicly.

Recommendation 6

5.25    The committee recommends that the Australian Government make a reference to the Productivity Commission to conduct a review of Australia's bilateral and regional trade agreements.

Recommendation 7

5.31    The committee recommends the Australian Government remove ISDS provisions from existing free trade agreements and legislate so that a future Australian government cannot sign an agreement with such provisions.

Recommendation 8

5.36    The committee recommends that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade include the provision of further information on labour market testing in its outreach strategy and seminars.

Recommendation 9

5.37    The committee recommends that the Australian Government reinstates labour market testing for contractual service suppliers where it has been waived and legislate so that a future Australian Government cannot waive labour market testing for contractual service suppliers in new agreements.

Recommendation 10

5.41    The committee recommends that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade develop and publish an outreach strategy which includes a schedule of information sessions in a wide variety of locations and considers the most appropriate mechanism for publishing key outcomes from the information sessions on the Department's website.

Recommendation 11

5.44    The committee recommends that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Austrade consider options, including possible partnerships with the private sector, for providing additional information about the TPP-11 to businesses.

Recommendation 12

5.48    The committee recommends that the Department of Foreign Affairs provide regular public updates about matters discussed at the TPP-11 Commission.

Recommendation 13

5.55    The committee recommends that the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties consider a resolution to enable participating membership for inquiries and, if agreed, put the necessary changes to both chambers.

Recommendation 14

5.56    The committee recommends the Australian Government provide the Government's Statement of Objectives for Negotiation to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties for consideration and feedback; and to provide the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties with a briefing at the end of each round of negotiations.

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