Nationals threaten to block EU free trade deal over farm concerns

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 18 Oct, 05:02 · Archive

Australia's Nationals party plans to block a $10bn-a-year EU free trade agreement, citing concerns over farmers and climate commitments.

Australia's Nationals party plans to block a $10bn-a-year free trade deal with the European Union when parliament sits early next year. The party's leader Matt Canavan argues the agreement fails to protect farmers and could leave Australia vulnerable to sanctions if it fails to meet climate targets set under the 2016 Paris Agreement, to which former prime minister Tony Abbott committed Australia.

Most business sectors and groups have welcomed the deal. Trade Minister Don Farrell has rejected the climate concerns as a 'straw man' argument. Cabinet minister Tim Ayres described the vote as a test of Opposition Leader Angus Taylor's 'economic credibility', asking whether 50 Liberal MPs would be 'led by the nose of these fanatics, led by Senator Canavan, or are they going to vote for mainstream economic credibility, for free trade, for market access for 98 per cent of Australian goods entering Europe without a tariff'.

Coalition frontbencher Sarah Henderson responded that her party wants 'better trade with the EU, but it cannot be a one-sided agreement'. She expressed particular concern about beef and dairy provisions in the deal, saying 'the government has got more work to do'. Henderson noted the Coalition has 'a very strong history of doing fair and free trade agreements right across many jurisdictions'.

How it is being reported

• Nationals ‘fanatics’ leading Liberals ‘by the nose’ against EU trade deal, minister saysA senior minister has urged Opposition Leader Angus Taylor to take a “strong stand” against Nationals “fanatics” threatening to block the $10bn-a-year EU free trade deal.The West Australian · 18 Oct, 05:41
• Nationals ‘fanatics’ leading Liberals ‘by the nose’ against EU trade deal, minister saysA senior minister has urged Opposition Leader Angus Taylor to take a “strong stand” against Nationals “fanatics” threatening to block the $10bn-a-year EU free trade deal.The West Australian · 18 Oct, 04:53
• Nationals ‘fanatics’ leading Liberals ‘by the nose’ against EU trade deal, minister saysA senior minister has urged Opposition Leader Angus Taylor to take a “strong stand” against Nationals “fanatics” threatening to block the $10bn-a-year EU free trade deal.Perth Now · 18 Oct, 04:53

In this story: Matt Canavan · Angus Taylor · Tim Ayres · Don Farrell · Sarah Henderson · Australia · European Union · The Nationals

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