Opposition demands renegotiation over beef quotas and climate commitments
Australia’s Trade Minister Don Farrell said on Wednesday that parliamentary support for a trade agreement concluded with the EU earlier this year is not guaranteed, after the opposition stepped up its rhetoric against the deal.
“In recent weeks, as politics in our country has shifted to entertain and reward populism, some in our parliament have been tempted to signal that they will oppose this agreement – choosing to chase headlines rather than practical outcomes,” Farrell said in a speech to the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Adelaide.
Support from the Greens would be crucial to securing the numbers needed for smooth passage of the deal. Australian media have reported that the party is likely to back the agreement, although the Greens have stressed that negotiations are still ongoing.
The opposition ‘Coalition’ this week called for the agreement to be renegotiated, taking issue in particular with the final red meat quotas included in the deal. The deal provides Australia with 30,600 tonnes of new preferential beef access, well short of the 50,000 tonnes sought by the Australian beef sector.
