Labor to unveil China trade position

The federal Labor party has signed off on its demands for changes to the Migration Act, which will form the basis of negotiations with the government aimed at passing legislation for the China-Australia free trade agreement (Chafta).

Trans-Pacific Partnership. Andrew Robb said in an interview with Sky News on Sunday that he’s happy to talk about “anything that might assist this process, but we’re not going to discriminate against China and we’re not going to change the fundamentals in any way”.

“We do have an opportunity…to come together to find common ground and put in place complementary safeguards”, Labor MP Jim Chalmers told reporters in Canberra.

The measures cover investment, a pay increase for 457 visa workers and ensuring foreign licensed tradespeople have qualifications that meet Australian standards.

There was also dissatisfaction that the changes would adequately enforce labour market testing before 457 visas were granted for such skilled professions as nurses, engineers, electricians, plumbers, welders and carpenters. As well, 457 visa workers in trades such as electrical work or plumbing would need to obtain an occupational licence or registration within 60 days of arriving in Australia.

LABOR MPs on Tuesday are expected to sign-off on measures to protect Australian jobs from an influx of foreign workers they fear the deal will create.

“They will be consistent with the agreement”.

Labor is hopeful of reaching a deal with Malcolm Turnbull, who has signalled the government is open to talks with Labor about any specific proposals. “I think it’s very important that we not make the Chinese feel as if this is specifically targeted at them”, he said. The government, in principle, was amenable to the Labor compromise because it was effectively having to give away nothing, it said. Trade Minister Andrew Robb said the government will consider Labor’s proposals and respond accordingly.

But Liberal frontbencher Steven Ciobo was surprised by the report, saying all the protections Labor claimed were needed already existed.