Michael Sukkar MP

Statements by Members: ChAFTA and union scare campaign

I also rise to draw attention to the deceitful and dishonest campaign orchestrated recently by the ACTU across my electorate. As part of their continued xenophobic campaign against the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, they sought to dishonestly advertise my attendance at one of their union meetings designed to attack this landmark agreement. So I apologise to all those in the Deakin electorate who had their evenings interrupted by unsolicited and dishonest prerecorded messages from the unions.

If the unions leaders are prepared to lie about something as simple as this, one can only wonder what other blatant lies they are spreading.    What is more disgraceful, however, is that their continued campaign against this landmark trade agreement will mean fewer jobs for Australian workers. I am glad that the Labor Party got over the line, and we dragged them kicking and screaming to support this agreement.

This agreement presents a fantastic opportunity for Australia and will open up huge opportunities for our resources, agriculture, manufacturing and service industries. What does that mean? It means more jobs for Australians.

I say thank you to all the members on this side of the House who got the Labor members kicking and screaming to support the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

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