MARIUS BENSON: Penny Wong, tariffs are going, markets for goods and services are opening up. The Government says its a great deal. Does it sound like a great deal to you?

PENNY WONG, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE: Were supporters of trade liberalisation because that helps drive jobs and growth in Australia. And thats why Labor over many years, in Government and in opposition, has supported trade liberalisation. But its got to be a good deal. And what I would say about this deal is, its time, if it is signed today, for you, and every other Australian, to see the full details. Not a glossy pamphlet, not a press release, not a photo opportunity, but the deal in full.

BENSON: But the deal is not out there in full obviously, but a lot of details are out there in terms of tariffs coming off coking coal and other coal, off wine, off dairy goods. Does it sound like Andrew Robb deserves congratulations?

WONG: I will always acknowledge the contribution of Andrew Robb to trade negotiations, just as Im sure he would acknowledge the contribution of Craig Emerson to trade negotiations such as the Korean Free Trade Agreement, and the deal in Bali under the WTO. But lets remember what we have here. Weve got Government leaking to, or providing information to selected journalists. Its time, after this deal is signed, for them to release the deal in full. I think Australians are entitled, if the agreement is as important as the Government says and I do believe our economic relationship with China is critical to the nations future, if the Government believes that, I think it should bring Australians into its confidence and be completely upfront about the detail of this deal.

BENSON: Some of the material thats been released by the Government so far says that, in return for the tariff reductions and so on, the Government is agreeing to Chinese investors being able to bring in labour on a case-by-case basis where there are skills shortages. Are you happy with that?

WONG: Weve been speaking about this for some time, because we do believe that ensuring any labour brought in only to fill skills shortages - that is, jobs that Australians would not otherwise fill is critical. This is all about making sure you maximise the local employment benefit from trade agreements. We have said you have to have strong labour market testing that is, getting employers to advertise locally or other safeguards. So we will be scrutinising that aspect of the agreement very closely. Because I think Australians do want to ensure that if there are job opportunities in Australia from investment, they obviously should be looking to Australian employees.

BENSON: And how do you feel about the suggestion that private Chinese investors will be not subjected to review by the Foreign Investment Review Board below a billion dollars? Theyll be treated as other free trade agreement countries are. Is that appropriate?

WONG: Thats actually the position I articulated some months ago, when we said some months ago consistent with our view about needing to encourage greater investment flows that we would support an increase in the investment threshold. That appears to be what the Government has agreed to for private investors. So were very pleased that the Government has listened to our advice on this issue. My view is that the more important issue in many ways is how the Government is treating state-owned enterprises. And well look at the detail of that.

BENSON: Can I leave the Free Trade Agreement there and go back to the weekend G20 agreement, the Brisbane Action Plan. The headline figure of that is 2.1 per cent. Thats the pledge from the leaders to achieve growth above business as usual, plus 2.1 per cent. Do you believe thats a realistic and sensible goal?

WONG: Increasing economic growth is always a sensible goal. I have to say though, I think Australians will have a lot of doubt about Australias commitment to this if the policy measures that the Government points to, to lift growth, are a GP Tax and higher fees for universities.

BENSON: Penny Wong Ill leave it there, thank you very much.

WONG: Good to speak with you.

ENDS