Fed: Labor premiers influenced Latham on FTA: Carr

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2004
Fed: Labor premiers influenced Latham on FTA: Carr

SYDNEY, Aug 3 AAP - Labor state premiers had influenced federal Opposition Leader Mark
Latham in his about-turn on the United States free trade agreement (FTA), NSW Premier
Bob Carr said today.

Mr Carr, a supporter of the deal, said the FTA might have come up in discussions with Mr Latham.

But he said any influence exercised by him or other Labor premiers was only on the
basis that the deal would benefit Australians.

"I think we did put influence. It's not, however, a pro-American orientation, it's
a belief that Australia has done well since 1983 by opening its economy to the world,"

Mr Carr told ABC Radio.

"It might have come up in some of our conversations but I wouldn't say I had any role
in changing his position through direct contact."

The federal Labor leader is expected to endorse the FTA today after a Labor-lead Senate
inquiry found the deal would benefit Australia.

Mr Carr said the deal would benefit the states.

"He (Mr Latham) is aware that the premiers who know their business sectors pretty intimately
are united in backing this agreement because with the openness of the Australian economy
we see only more business flying our way."

The state's wine, manufacturing, steel and iron industries stood to benefit from the
deal, the premier said.

"It will also mean increased levels of US investment in Australia and we in Sydney
are currently home to 65 per cent of the regional headquarters of overseas companies operating
in Australia."

Mr Carr said the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme would not be damaged by the deal, but
he was concerned about the level of protection the FTA would afford local acting industries.

"The protection for local media content is not what I argued it should be.

"I argued for something that would reflect what we got with the free trade agreement
with Singapore which simply recognised the power of either party to protect cultural conduct."

But he said there was no imminent danger to Australia's television and movie industry.

"Australian stories are going to be favoured by Australians as they switch on their
TV and choose what movie they will see on a Sunday afternoon."

AAP swe/smb/bes/bwl

KEYWORD: TRADE US CARR

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