House debates

Tuesday, 7 February 2006

9:29 pm

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Scullin, Australian Labor Party) | | Hansard source

With regard to trade, the global orthodoxy is to free trade. I make yet another plea tonight that, in assessing trade policy, we take it from the view of fair trade—that we look at the way in which Australia can compete against trading nations in a fair way. Too many decisions are made on the basis of businesses going offshore. Look at the northern suburbs of Melbourne: Deeko, a paper manufacturer; a webbing factory for seatbelts; a biscuit manufacturer in Broadmeadows—hundreds of jobs going to China; in Mentone, Armstrong-Nylex—a couple of hundred jobs going to Malaysia. If we do not realise that the only way that we can have proper trade is to do it on the basis of fair trade, it will be to the detriment of Australia.

Photo of David HawkerDavid Hawker (Speaker) | | Hansard source

Order! It being 9.30 pm, the debate is interrupted.