REPORT ON BILATERAL AND REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS WELCOMED

By Neville D'Cruz

MELBOURNE, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- The Australian government welcomed the
release Monday of the Productivity Commission's report on Australia's bilateral
and regional trade agreements.

The report, commissioned in November 2009 by the then Trade Minister Simon
Crean and former Assistant Treasurer Nick Sherry, contains a series of detailed
recommendations and findings which the government will examine closely, Canberra
said in a statement.

Trade Minister Dr Craig Emerson said the government was committed to trade
liberalisation as an integral component of the government's overall economic
reform programme aimed at creating high-skill, high-wage jobs and prosperity.

Dr Emerson last week announced a review of Australia's future trade policy
framework. It is expected to be released by the first-quarter of next year.

"The Productivity Commission's report will provide valuable input into the
review, as will the views of academics, trade unions and business
organisations," Dr Emerson said.

Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten noted the strong public engagement in the
review, with more than 100 submissions received from a broad range of
stakeholders, including business, government, academia and the community
sector.

"The report and the diverse variety of submissions reveal the complexity of
the issues and highlight the range of differing views which exist in the
community," he said.
-- BERNAMA