The Morrison Government’s “special trade envoy” Tony Abbott has today advocated a “swift” free trade agreement with India – conveniently ignoring the eight long years this Government has spent ignoring this vital relationship.
 
When Tony Abbott was Prime Minister, then Trade Minister Andrew Robb promised a free trade agreement with India - to be completed in its first term. But negotiations fell apart.
 
What makes Scott Morrison think Tony Abbott can pull this off now, when he failed to do so as Prime Minister?
 
And why is Tony Abbott a special trade envoy for both Australia and Great Britain? This clear conflict of interest is an absolute farce.
 
His $19,000 in travel expenses is not just a waste of taxpayers’ money, it’s also an insult to the 38,500 Australians still stranded around the world, left behind by this Government.
 
In reality, the Morrison Government has overseen a deteriorating economic relationship with India. According to DFAT, two-way trade with India fell by 13.6 per cent and exports fell 18.4 per cent in the year to 2020.
 
Meanwhile the Varghese economic strategy has been gathering dust since 2018, with only one of its recommendations implemented.
 
This is just more smoke, mirrors and spin from this do-nothing government.