Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

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Review of the Operation of the Free Trade Agreements with Singapore, Thailand and the United States of America

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Terms of Reference

Pursuant to paragraph 1 (b) of its resolution of appointment, the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade is empowered to consider and report on the annual reports of government agencies, in accordance with a schedule presented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The Speaker’s schedule lists annual reports from agencies within the Defence and Foreign Affairs portfolios as being available for review by the Committee.

The major focus will be on Output 1.1.5 in the 2003-4 DFAT Annual Report dealing with Australia’s bilateral trade negotiations. The Sub-Committee shall examine the operation of the free trade agreements with Singapore, Thailand and the United States of America, with particular reference to:

• business experience of the free trade agreements, in particular participation in negotiations and support from Australian agencies in-country;
• government and business perspectives on what works well and could be improved in the operation of the agreements; and
• issues to consider for future free trade agreements.

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