Australia-ASEAN-New Zealand FTA: Call For Submissions

Media release from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

D19

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is inviting public submissions and comment on issues relevant to the potential Australia-ASEAN-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

At the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Summit on 30 November 2004, Prime Minister John Howard, together with his ASEAN and New Zealand counterparts, agreed to launch negotiations on an FTA.

The negotiations will commence in early 2005 and will be concluded within two years. Leaders have agreed that the FTA will be comprehensive in scope, covering trade in goods, services and investment, and that it will build on individual members' commitments in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will consult widely on the potential FTA between Australia, ASEAN and New Zealand including with industry and state and territory governments and other relevant stakeholders.

More information on the FTA can be found on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.

The deadline for receiving submissions is Friday 4 February 2005. Submissions may be lodged electronically to asean_fta@dfat.gov.au, or by post at the following address:

The Asia Trade Task Force
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
RG Casey Building
John McEwen Crescent
BARTON ACT 0221

Media enquiries: DFAT Media Liaison on 02 6261 1555