The Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth will hold three public hearings in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra to inform its inquiry into the understanding and utilisation of benefits under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
The Committee will hear from industry groups, peak bodies, academics and community organisations about how Australian businesses are engaging in international trade and how access to the benefits offered by trade and Australia's FTAs could be improved.
The inquiry is focusing on the level of awareness and uptake of the benefits available under Australia's FTAs, including the promotion of the benefits of trade, the difficulties faced in accessing the benefits of trade agreements and how the utilisation of trade agreements is measured. The Committee is also examining the extent to which regional, diaspora and First Nations communities take advantage of trade and FTA opportunities, including how these communities can be better engaged to build Australia's trade.
Committee Chair, Mr Steve Georganas MP said: "International trade brings significant economic and social benefits to all Australians. The Committee is looking forward to hearing from stakeholders to better understand if the benefits offered by participation in trade are being maximised and how the utilisation of Australia's free trade agreements could be improved."
"We are also interested in how Australia's large diaspora communities participate in trade, and whether there are greater opportunities to utilise their knowledge, expertise and networks to foster closer business links and trade ties."
These public hearings follow earlier hearings with several Australian Government departments and agencies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Austrade that focussed on the government's role in supporting Australian businesses to enjoy the economic and social benefits of trade and Australia's FTAs.
Public hearing details
Sydney
Date: Tuesday, 29 October 2024
Time: 9.30am to 2.00pm (AEST)
Location: Macquarie Room, NSW Parliament House
Melbourne
Date: Tuesday, 12 November 2024
Time: 10.00am to 2.00pm (AEST)
Location: TBC
Canberra
Date: Friday, 22 November 2024
Time: 9.00am to 2.30pm (AEST)
Location: Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra
Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, published submissions and hearing transcripts, are available on the inquiry webpage.
The hearing will be broadcast live at www.youtube.com/@AUSParliamentLive.
