AUSFTA: Linking War, Free Trade and the Environment

Trade agreements should always be treated with caution, especially when they are negotiated behind closed doors. If there is anything positive to be gained in dollar terms from a FTA, this should not be the result of environmental degradation, erosion of environmental standards, and limitations to a sovereign nations ability to build towards a sustainable future. This paper considers the possible impact of the new AUSFTA on the Australian environment.