Trade just an add-on under Labor
28th June, 2010
The critical portfolio of Trade has fallen further off Labor’s radar, with its relegation to merely being an add-on to Foreign Affairs in Julia Gillard’s first Ministry.At a time when we will need our exporters to get us out of the economic mess the Rudd-Gillard Government has created, Trade is now apparently an after-thought, said the Shadow Trade Minister, Warren Truss.
“Without someone encouraging and supporting greater trading possibilities, the work of other ministers becomes just that much harder,” Mr Truss said.
“In Government, Trade has always been seen as a priority portfolio and successive administrations have made it a stand alone responsibility with a very senior minister. Even if this is just an arrangement until the election, a worrying precedent has been set.
“The world watches these sort of changes and will be alert to the sense that Labor is reducing its commitment to lowering trade barriers and will be a soft touch on trade reform.
“As Trade Minister, Simon Crean achieved very little but at least he could devote his full attention to the portfolio.
“That will not be the case under Stephen Smith, who already has the full-time job of Foreign Affairs Minister.
“At a time when the WTO Doha Round is on its last leg, vital free trade agreement discussions with Japan and China have slowed and Australia’s quarantine requirements are being internationally challenged, we need a full-time Trade Minister.
“I know Ms Gillard didn’t want to be seen to reward any of the factional thugs who elevated her to the top job last week, and did not want to make major portfolio changes, but she should have thought more about the long-term than the short-term with this decision.
“Ms Gillard had the chance to promote someone – anyone – from regional Australia to her Cabinet, but like Kevin Rudd’s Cabinet it is bereft of regional representation,” Mr Truss said.
