Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill, Remaining Stages

The Australia and New Zealand Trade Bill ratifies and implements the UK’s free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand. I have concerns about the way in which these trade deals were negotiated. The former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has even admitted that the Australia deal was bad for Britain.

New Clause 2 would have required the Secretary of State to lay before Parliament an assessment of the impact of the deal on farmers, within 6 months of he Bill coming into force. I voted for the new clause, which was not passed, Ayes: 192 and Noes 296.

New Clause 12 aims to address the failure on Parliamentary Scrutiny bought by the Bill. It would implement a super-affirmative provision which would give Parliament an additional layer of scrutiny for trade deal negotiations. I voted for the new clause, which was not passed, Ayes: 192 and Noes 299.

Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill was read a Third Time and passed, Ayes: 294 and Noes: 46. The Bill will now go to the House of Lords for consideration.