A report published today makes damning findings about the impact of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) on Australias labour market if complementary safeguards are not introduced.
Employment law expert Dr Joanna Howe has identified serious deficiencies in the agreement negotiated by Trade Minister Andrew Robb.
Dr Howe finds that the agreement will greatly increase access to the Australian labour market by temporary workers.
Her report also finds that the agreement lacks safeguards to prevent employers preferencing these temporary workers over local workers.
Dr Howe recommends the introduction of safeguards that require labour market testing, prevent temporary workers undercutting local wages and conditions, and protect temporary workers from exploitation.
These findings must not be ignored by Mr Robb and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Its time Mr Turnbull abandon his taxpayer-funded advertising campaign and talk to Labor about complementary safeguards that deliver market access for exporters, support Australian jobs and prevent exploitation of vulnerable temporary workers.