The repetition of talking points by the Treasurer and the Foreign Minister cannot alter the fact that Tony Abbotts China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) would erode job opportunities for Australian workers.
Labor supports trade liberalisation because more trade means more jobs, more economic growth and better living standards.
We welcome ChAFTAs improvements in market access for Australian exporters in the agriculture, resources, manufacturing and services sectors.
But ChAFTAs provisions on temporary skilled migration constitute another broken promise by Mr Abbott that will hurt ordinary Australians.
Last year Mr Abbott promised the Coalition would retain labour market testing the requirement for employers to show they cannot find suitable local workers before they bring in temporary migrants.
Instead, the Abbott Government has dropped labour market testing for Chinese-funded infrastructure projects worth $150 million or more.
Under ChAFTAs Investment Facilitation Arrangements provisions the Government has agreed to negotiate special migration arrangements for these projects with no requirement for labour market testing.
This erosion of labour market testing safeguards will mean fewer job opportunities for Australian workers.
It has the potential to impact especially adversely on workers in the Foreign Ministers home state of Western Australia.
Labor supports high-quality trade agreements which enhance, not constrain, local job opportunities.
That is why we will fight to maintain critical safeguards in response to the labour movement provisions in ChAFTA.
Mr Abbotts dud deal needs to be fixed to ensure that it is in Australias national interest.