For all the talk of being for free markets, Labor and the unions are running huge protectionist scare campaigns against the FTA with China and the TPP with a mixture of half truths and outright lies.

Paul Kelly says it best:

"There are two factors at work here. First, the union campaign is based on the premise the public will not accept the risk to Australian jobs implicit in the deal. And second, there is concern about China’s development model — bringing in large numbers of foreign workers for projects. While Australia talks endlessly about the opportunities from a closer economic, trade and investment relationship with China, our ability as a nation to manage this expanding relationship with a supporting public and transparent policy remains in doubt. The FTA will become a pivotal test of our political system. This conflict is not about trade but about job protection. It is a long-standing battle played out during the Gillard government when it tightened the rules against temporary foreign workers. The issue penetrates to Labor’s union-driven suspicion of temporary foreign workers, a global trend guaranteed to intensify.

While “Aussie jobs” is a populist slogan, Labor is playing with political fire. Its position is a touchstone that will further alienate business and cast Labor as sacrificing substantial economic gains for union demands. Robb estimates that delaying the tariff reductions in a range of areas, including, coal, meat, dairy and wine, will cost $300 million next year.

Labor is bidding up this issue. Its future options are dangerous — voting against the FTA or abandoning its insistence on tighter job guarantees. Abbott and Robb regard the notion of seeking changes at this stage as the height of irresponsibility. This is surely correct given this deal has been 10 years in the making.

Liberal MP Angus Taylor went on the offensive yesterday, branding Labor’s stand “economic vandalism at its worst”. Taylor said: “This is a deal to eliminate taxes on Australian exports to China. It is time for the FTA to enter into force. New Zealand did their deal with China years ago."

The terms of the agreement should have been laid bare long ago and not done in secrecy. You can not trust what Abbott does or says.
China being able to bring in labour at will is not in Australia's best interest.
Abbott is number one when it comes to scare campaigns.
Like subs for Japan, his secret deals are obvious. The subs were in japans hands before the last election. Anything to get a trade deal at any cost.
What Paul Kelly wrote is correct. There is suspicion, and rightly so. That is not what labor would have signed.

What has a free trade agreement got to do with free movement of labour the likes of Cabinet makers, welders, mechanics, plus a host of others. with provisos of bypassing 457 visa requirements thrown in. These requirements are a pivotal part of the FTA agreement.
Abbott is a goose, and should be jailed for Treason.

Dear Minister Robb,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of this date, which reads as follows:

In connection with the signing of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (the “Agreement”) and discussions in relation to Chapter 8 (Trade in Services) and Chapter 10 (Movement of Natural Persons), I have the honour to confirm the following understanding shared by the Governments of Australia and China:

The Parties undertake to cooperate to streamline relevant skills assessment processes for temporary skilled labour visas, including through reducing the number of occupations currently subject to mandatory skills assessment for Chinese applicants for an Australian Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457). Australia will remove the requirement for mandatory skills assessment for the following ten occupations on the date of entry into force of the Agreement.

Automotive Electrician [321111]
Cabinetmaker [394111]
Carpenter [331212]
Carpenter and Joiner [331211]
Diesel Motor Mechanic [321212]
Electrician (General) [341111]
Electrician (Special Class) [341112]
Joiner [331213]
Motor Mechanic (General) [321211]
Motorcycle Mechanic [321213]

Doog,

Here is the full text of the agreement

http://dfat.gov.au/trade/agreements/chafta/official-documents/Documents/chafta-agreement-text.docx

Did you perhaps get your quote from the anti trade CFMEU?

The very same document there SM. Heavily tilted toward Abbott's arrogance and grossly in China's interest's. Free trade is one thing Free movement of labour is another, and all in the same document.
There is justified cause why labor is requesting labour movement be renegotiated.

When you see what has been agreed to is probable been the cause of negotiation for years. Abbott being Abbott has signed something that should have been the subject of wider approval before any signing taken place. It affects the workers of AU. 457 Visa's are bad enough without lessoning the rules for Chinese workers. No wonder why Abbott has bristled up. He has something to hide.

Free Trade Agreements should not have free movement of workers as a pivotal part of a Free Trade Agreement.