TASMANIAN unions are this week ramping up their attacks against provisions of a China free-trade deal they fear will allow Chinese companies to bring in cheap labour at the expense of Tasmanian jobs. Trade Minister Andrew Robb is leading a business delegation in China to chase opportunities created under the deal, which was signed in June but yet to be endorsed by Parliament. Several unions are strongly opposed to parts of the deal they believe will cost Australian jobs, and undermine workplace standards. The government has said it is a ‘‘racist dog whistle’’ campaign and denies the agreement will result in a flood of cheap overseas labour. Unions Tasmania is holding a forum at the Launceston Workers Club on Wednesday and protests will be held in Devonport on Thursday when the Treaty Committee meets to discuss the deal. But Bass Liberal MHR Andrew Nikolic said Tasmania could not afford to lose the deal, labelling it a ‘‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’’. ‘‘We’ve already seen the beneficial impacts of these trade deals in Tasmania, with a lot more to come,’’ Mr Nikolic said. ‘‘The worst thing we can do now is ruin a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when it comes to Tasmania and trade,’’ he said. The trade agreement relaxes trade restrictions between the two countries, cutting tariffs on exports. Part of it allows Chinese companies to import a foreign labour force on projects worth more than $150 million. CFMEU Tasmania vice-president Noel Washington said concerns about the deal outweighed any benefit. ‘‘Theoretically, workers could be brought over to work on the Hobart hospital,’’ Mr Washington said. ‘‘It could certainly impact Tasmania in mining. ‘‘Investment is always good but if there’s no local benefit for the locals I see very little point in it,’’ he said. Business has backed the government, with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry urging MPs to ratify the deal. When the deal was signed, Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said it would help the state’s farmers be more competitive in China, but the Greens warned previous deals had not delivered the promised benefits.
TASMANIAN unions are this week ramping up their attacks against provisions of a China free-trade deal they fear will allow Chinese companies to bring in cheap labour at the expense of Tasmanian jobs.
Trade Minister Andrew Robb is leading a business delegation in China to chase opportunities created under the deal, which was signed in June but yet to be endorsed by Parliament.
Several unions are strongly opposed to parts of the deal they believe will cost Australian jobs, and undermine workplace standards.
The government has said it is a ‘‘racist dog whistle’’ campaign and denies the agreement will result in a flood of cheap overseas labour.
Unions Tasmania is holding a forum at the Launceston Workers Club on Wednesday and protests will be held in Devonport on Thursday when the Treaty Committee meets to discuss the deal.
But Bass Liberal MHR Andrew Nikolic said Tasmania could not afford to lose the deal, labelling it a ‘‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’’.
Noel Washington
‘‘We’ve already seen the beneficial impacts of these trade deals in Tasmania, with a lot more to come,’’ Mr Nikolic said.
‘‘The worst thing we can do now is ruin a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when it comes to Tasmania and trade,’’ he said.
The trade agreement relaxes trade restrictions between the two countries, cutting tariffs on exports.
Part of it allows Chinese companies to import a foreign labour force on projects worth more than $150 million.
CFMEU Tasmania vice-president Noel Washington said concerns about the deal outweighed any benefit.
‘‘Theoretically, workers could be brought over to work on the Hobart hospital,’’ Mr Washington said.
‘‘It could certainly impact Tasmania in mining.
‘‘Investment is always good but if there’s no local benefit for the locals I see very little point in it,’’ he said.
Business has backed the government, with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry urging MPs to ratify the deal.
When the deal was signed, Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said it would help the state’s farmers be more competitive in China, but the Greens warned previous deals had not delivered the promised benefits.
