Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce today warned that the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement being trumpeted by galah-brained Gillard as some weird sort of dream scheme is unlikely to ever happen as free trade deals rarely live up to the dream time discussions.

A lively discussion has emerged between the federal Coalition parties on the merits of a new Asia-Pacific free trade pact, with the Nationals declaring Australian farmers are unlikely to be among the winners from the deal.

Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce today ridiculed the announcement of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, saying the reality of free trade deals rarely matched the rhetoric.

As opposition trade spokeswoman Julie Bishop welcomed the push for the new multi-lateral trade deal, Senator Joyce said agriculture was inevitably cared out from such agreements.

"Of course, if you have genuine free trade agreement - and there are very few such species - then obviously its beneficial for farmers,'' he said.

"But what you usually end up with though is a free trade agreement which, surprise, surprise, has exclusions on agriculture.''

Senator Joyce questioned the ability of US President Barack Obama to deliver a deal that benefited Australian farmers at the expense of his own.

"I don't think Barack Obama is going to be telling the mid-west he's going to hurt trade,'' he said.

Agreement has been reached on the broad details of the nine-nation agreement at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation leaders' summit in Honolulu.

Ms Bishop said the growing momentum behind the deal was encouraging.

"Given the lack of progress in negotiating a multilateral agreement through the Doha Round, it is vital that nations continue to look for opportunities to bolster international trade,'' she said.

"Australia is an export-orientated nation; our economy depends on our ability to access markets in our region and elsewhere.''

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said negotiations on the deal would not be allowed to falter over domestic concerns in Japan over its agricultural sector.

"There is a very clear understanding amongst Trans-Pacific Partnership leaders that we will be having the talks and the talks will be progressing so they will not wait to see whether or not Japan moves to the stage of saying 'yes, absolutely, we want to be in the Trans-Pacific Partnership','' Ms Gillard told the ABC.

Trade Minister Craig Emerson said he was confident the deal would come to fruition.

"There's unprecedented political momentum behind the Trans-Pacific Partnership,'' he said.

The nine world leaders hope to reach an agreement in 2012.

Mr Emerson accused the National Party of betraying farmers by questioning the trans-Pacific partnership trade deal, a position at odds with the Liberal Party.

Nationals leader Warren Truss and Senate leader Barnaby Joyce described the trade partnership as a “thought bubble that will go nowhere”.

“Barnaby Joyce's economic Hansonism is influencing Tony Abbott's policy positions much more than pro-market Liberals such as his Deputy, Julie Bishop, and pro-market Liberal backbenchers,’’ Dr Emerson said.

He said while the National Farmers Federation had backed the trade deal, "in contrast, the Nationals are embracing a Fortress Australia mentality as they deride the great strides taken in securing commitment to the TPP from Asia-Pacific nations”.

Federation presdent Jock Laurie said farmers were fatigued by years of free trade promises that had not been delivered.

“The NFF is committed to working with the Australian Government to conclude the TPP next year and will be ensuring that agriculture retains its place as a core pillar of the negotiations,’’ he said.

“Japan’s intention to join the TPP is also a positive sign that it is prepared to stand up to domestic opposition to trade reform and wants to embrace a more open trading environment in the knowledge that it is good for their economy, their consumers, and their domestic industry – including agriculture.”

Mr Laurie also welcomed Russia’s agreement to a package of trade reforms late last week that will help pave the way to WTO-entry.

“Russian accession to the WTO has significant positive implications for Australian agriculture, for which Russia has been a major market for commodities including beef, sheep and lamb skins, dairy and live cattle," he said.

 
---COMMENTS ON THIS STORY----

Steve jones of NSW Posted at 3:34 PM Today

Barnaby has little concept whats required to pull off this sort of trade pact and his comments show what little ability he has. Silly fella thinks that if he wears an akubra that he can speak for the people from the bush. Stick to ya one liners Barnaby.


rOB of NSW Posted at 3:13 PM Today

"Free" trade usually means two things, (it is a double edged sword), removing trade barriers for our exports (good) but also removing those for import into Australia (bad). With the current high Aussie dollar (good overseas buying power) and relatively higher labour costs than most of Asia, it will mean a flood of cheap imports which our local manufacturers, farmers etc. will not be able to compete against forcing them to lower costs to be competitive (shed labour) and/or go out of business with even more job losses.

freediver wrote on Nov 14^th, 2011 at 8:35pm:


Since when has Katter been in the Coalition?

Mind you, he did opt to support them after the last election didn't he? So FD is correct... in a sense... 

Quote:


OF TOPIC AS USUAL NUM NUTS   

Gist wrote on Nov 15^th, 2011 at 8:51am:




did he have a gun to his head like Wilkie and booby have with gillards deal?

cods wrote on Nov 15^th, 2011 at 9:36am:


Only yours.

cods wrote on Nov 15^th, 2011 at 9:36am:


But Gillard's are more fruitful, she kisses Obama!