Singapore FTA clear on anti-competitive behaviour

THE Singapore Free Trade Agreement very clearly makes provision for measures such as a proposed Code of Conduct, or amendments to the state-legislated Sugar Act.I am outlining the relevant sections of the Singapore FTA in response to media claims that Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has urged Queensland Government representatives to vote against proposals by the Liberal National Party and Katter’s Australia Party to make changes to the Queensland Sugar Act.I can confirm that I have personally spoken with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop and received an assurance from her that she has never insinuated or inferred that a proposed sugar marketing code of conduct, nor any changes to the state-legislated Sugar Act, would breach any Free Trade Agreement or World Trade Organisation rules.The ABC and the Australian Financial Review have jumped to some wrong conclusions about a letter the Foreign Minister wrote to State Labor Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne.It appears this information has been leaked by Mr Byrne’s office and it’s despicable to see this action which would seek to support a foreign-owned miller rather than the Queensland sugar cane growers that Mr Byrne represents as part of his portfolio responsibilities.The Singapore FTA expressly states “each party shall promote competition by addressing anti-competitive practices in its territory” and “such means and measures may include the implementation of competition and regulatory arrangements”.The Foreign Minister has sought to point out that Australia must maintain our reputation as an open place to do business and that’s entirely correct.However that business needs to be conducted in a manner which is fair and equitable for those parties concerned, and this is the issue we are seeking to address in relation to Wilmar and their refusal to offer cane growers a choice over sugar marketing arrangements.