Terms of Reference

Pursuant to the Committee’s resolution of appointment, the Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth resolved to inquire into the 2018-19 annual reports of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). DFAT’s and Austrade’s annual reports stand referred to the Committee under the Schedule presented by the Speaker. The focus of the Committee’s inquiry will be to understand whether there is a need for Australia to diversify its trade markets and foreign investment profile including:
Consider if Australia is too reliant on any one market for exports. If so, what factors are contributing to this dominance;
The advantages and disadvantages, including in relation to the national interest and national economic risk, to an over reliance on any one market;
Consider if Australia is too reliant on foreign investment. If so, what factors are contributing to this dominance;
The advantages and disadvantages, including in relation to the national interest and national economic risk, to an over reliance on foreign investment, especially foreign investment by state-owned enterprises;
The impact of global crises including trade disputes and political disputes on Australia’s relationship with countries we are reliant upon for trade and investment purposes;
The impact of bilateral trade agreements on Australia’s exports and whether they contribute to concentrated export markets;
The impact of bilateral trade agreements on Australia’s domestic market and whether they contribute to an over reliance on foreign investment;
Analysis of industry and government preparations to diversify its trading partners and secure new markets for Australia’s exports, including through further free trade agreements; and
Analysis of industry and government preparations to ensure the Australian economy is not overly reliant on foreign investment.

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