Trade Minister Unhappy About Queensland’s Policy to Break Trade Agreements
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo has expressed his discontentment with the Queensland government for publicly going against Federal governments trade agreements.
Billions of dollars of Australia’s exports, and the thousands of jobs they support, are at risk after the Labor Queensland Government declared it will intentionally breach Australia’s trade agreements.
The Minister said “Many of Australia’s trade agreements, and agreements currently being negotiated, are now at risk”.
“This reckless behavior by the Palaszczuk Labor Government poses a serious threat to Australia’s farmers, cattle producers, grain growers, winemakers, manufacturers, miners, and all those who sell Australia’s products and services to the world”.
The minister quoted Queensland Minister for Housing and Public Works, Mick de Brenni, declared
he “couldn’t give a toss,” while boasting Labor would breach Australia’s trade agreements.
“We’re breaking the Turnbull LNP Government’s trade agreement - and they aren’t happy. But I couldn’t give a toss,” - (Source: Correspondence from Mick de Brenni MP, 2 August 2017)”
Minister de Brenni’s comments follow Premier Palaszczuk’s statement that her Government will “no longer be bound by free trade agreements”.
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