Well done Labour

The Herald reports:

Labour is promising to support the Government’s free trade deal with India but is warning exporters could have their market access revoked if New Zealand can’t fulfil a $33 billion investment commitment. 

Leader Chris Hipkins revealed his party’s position at Parliament today, having spent weeks meeting with officials to better understand the deal which requires Labour’s support to pass it through the House given New Zealand First opposed it.

Full credit to Labour and Chris Hipkins for putting the country ahead of politics, and supporting the deal. We should be grateful that at least in trade policy, we have bipartisan co-operation.

In return for a measly 200 extra migrants a year, we get enhanced access to a market of almost 1.,5 billion people. It’s a great deal.

NZ First has opposed every free trade agreement NZ has signed with an Asian country. Their opposition to the India FTA has nothing to do with the details of the agreement. A 0.004% increase in our population in exchange for fewer export barriers is a no brainer.

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