Farmers Can Blame Reith

Date: 15 March 2000

The finding by the International Labour Organisation's committee of experts that Australia is in breach of the Convention on Collective Bargaining may well be used against us in future trade negotiations, Shadow Trade Minister, Senator Peter Cook, said today.

"Australian farmers can blame Peter Reith for making it harder for Australia to break down trade barriers - especially in Europe," said Senator Cook.

"Last December's World Trade Organisation meeting in Seattle collapsed, in part, because of the labour standards issue.

"If another round is to be successfully launched, one of the hurdles that will have to be cleared is labour standards.

"Australia is doing its exporters no favours by becoming an international pariah on the issue of labour standards.

While we are so clearly disregarding the core labour standards, we will be a target of international criticism, to the extent that it can nullify Australian efforts to get a new round launched.

"Key European Governments - in Britain, France, Italy and Germany - are strongly influenced by their countries' union movements. Whilst the Howard Government is brazenly breaching ILO standards, their unions are likely to send a simple message to their governments: don't deal with Australia.

"For our farmers, this is a body blow. World agricultural subsidies have actually increased in recent years.

"Without a new comprehensive round of negotiations, they may well continue to grow.

"The Howard Government should amend the Workplace Relations Act to conform with the ILO's finding. This is not only in the interests of our workers - but also of our exporters."

For further information

Contact:	Andrew Leigh
Union:	ALP Federal
Phone:	0412 633 652

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