“The release of amendments to the Migration Act proposed by the ALP as a precondition for its support of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) provides much needed clarity on changes the ALP is seeking,” BCA Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott said.

 “We will consult with our member companies on the workability of the amendments and on the level of unnecessary regulatory burden they impose.

“Our primary objective is that the ChAFTA should be passed and our position remains that it should be passed without unnecessary amendments to the Migration Act.
“Our view has always been that the safeguards are in place to ensure the agreement does not represent a threat to Australian jobs.

“However, if the measures put forward by the ALP promote a greater sense of bipartisanship and do not detract from the spirit of the agreement unnecessarily, or add to cost and complexity, we would encourage both parties to negotiate in good faith to achieve a speedy outcome in the national interest,” Ms Westacott said.

For further information contact:
Claire Tedeschi, Executive Director, Communications and Advocacy
Business Council of Australia
Telephone (03) 8664 26602 • Mobile 0457 822 642