Call to activate trade dispute clauses in Daniel Andrews’ Belt and Road deal
The Andrews Government’s Belt and Road agreement with China demands “unimpeded trade”. So what is the Premier or his Agriculture Minister doing amid China’s attack on Aussie ag?
VICTORIAN Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes has refused to activate trade dispute resolution clauses within the Belt and Road Agreement signed off by Premier Daniel Andrews with the Chinese Communist Party on October 23 last year.
The agreement repeatedly outlines the need for practical co-operation and “unimpeded trade”, with clause six stating “both sides will settle differences in the interpretation, application or implementation of this agreement through friendly consultations”.
Opposition Upper House Leader David Davis asked Ms Symes in Parliament yesterday if she would activate the belt and roads agreement’s dispute clause, given “the situation for Victorian agriculture and aquaculture exports has become dire, with produce stuck rotting at entry points to China”.
Ms Symes refused to answer the question, simply stating she had been briefed by Victoria’s commissioner to greater China, Shanghai-based Brett Stevens, on the current trade dispute.
“He (Stevens) is currently having lots and lots of meetings on the ground there, and he is the appropriate port of call for me at this time,” Ms Symes said.
“In relation to Mr Davis’s question, conflating trade issues with the Belt and Road agreement, the agriculture sector is effectively one paragraph within the Belt and Road agreement, which is just a facilitation document to bring people to the table to have conversations.
“Importantly I would note that we are still waiting for formal advice on any of the trade restrictions at the moment, particularly the impact on Victorian produce. I am paying close attention to wine, obviously.
“There are no formal restrictions on our trade at the moment, but there obviously is cautionary action being taken by some of our importers.”
The belt and roads agreement is meant to facilitate a close working relationship on trade, investment and infrastructure between Victoria and China, overseen by a joint working group headed up by Mr Andrews and China’s National Reform and Development Commission Ning Jizhe.
The agreement states the working group meets twice a year to “facilitate co-operation”.
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