Labor welcomes the in-principle deal announced last night to progress a free-trade agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom.
 
Trade is an important aspect of the close relationship between Australia and the UK, and we will wait to see the details of this proposed agreement.
 
Labor would welcome a fair and open agreement that is in the best interests of Australian workers, Australian business and the entire Australian community. 
 
We will work constructively with the Government on this.
 
We will also consult with the union movement, the business community and the public service.
 
Labor again calls on the Government to commission independent economic modelling for all of the free-trade agreements it enters.
 
Greater transparency in the development and implementation of trade agreements is vital in building community support for fair and open trade.
 
In addition to progressing this FTA with the UK, the Morrison Government needs to do more to diversify our export markets and our export sectors. 
 
The Government has adopted a “set and forget” approach to existing FTAs that has contributed to weaknesses in our trading relationships.
 
Implementation of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Partnership Agreement has been slow.  The Government has also failed to progress stronger trade ties with India.