This bill is currently before Parliament.
Defence & foreign affairs
People following major trade negotiations would see when talks begin and what Australia aims to achieve.
The government said trade supported almost 3.45 million full-time-equivalent jobs in 2023-24 and contributed almost 30 per cent of Australia's economy. It also said Australia had trade agreements linking it with 31 economies. The Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth, a parliamentary committee examining trade policy, made 13 recommendations after receiving 54 submissions, 11 supplementary submissions and holding eight days of hearings. The government said the bill responded by improving public information, independent scrutiny and community input into trade negotiations.
Australia already had an extensive network of trade agreements with 31 economies, but a parliamentary inquiry launched in August 2023 exposed gaps in transparency, accountability and oversight, including how stakeholders and Parliament were involved and whether agreements protected the national interest. After interim and final reports in 2024 recommended a legislative framework, Senator Tim Ayres introduced the bill on 1 July 2026 to require public negotiating objectivesThe outcomes Australia intends to pursue. and independent analysis, establish a diverse advisory group, protect public-interest regulation and bar investor-state dispute settlementA process for foreign investors to claim against governments. from new covered agreements.
The evidence pack contains no opposition or crossbench debate, so it does not establish any criticism of the bill. It contains only Tim Ayres (Labor) presenting the government's case and saying the bill would strengthen consultation and transparency.
Senator Tim Ayres introduced this bill. Supportive speeches so far have come from Labor.
Did it become law?
Not yet
Final passage
No final vote yet
The bill has not yet completed passage through Parliament.
Days since introduction
37 days
Updated 07 Aug 2026.
Meaning
People following major trade negotiations would see when talks begin and what Australia aims to achieve.
Workers, farmers, businesses and community groups would have representatives on a new seven-to-eight-member Trade Advisory GroupA community and industry advice panel..
Australians affected by a proposed trade agreement would get an independent study of its expected economic and community effects.
Australians affected by an existing agreement would get an independent review, generally within five years of it taking effect.
Australian governments could not sign covered agreements that let foreign investors bring claims against Australia through a special international process.
First Nations people, workers and consumers would have their interests raised during negotiations, alongside trade, investment and environmental concerns.
Australians would retain the government's ability to make public-interest rules, including rules about public welfare and product safety.
13 Minister must announce commencement of negotiations (1) The Minister must, by notice on the Department’s website, announce the commencement of negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement or proposed amendments of a free trade agreement. (2) The Minister may make the announcement before, on or after the negotiations start day for the proposed agreement or proposed amendments of the agreement. 14 Publishing negotiating objectives (1) The Minister must publish Australia’s negotiating objectives for a proposed free trade agreement, or proposed amendments of a free trade agreement, on tTrade and Investment Agreements (Consultation) introduced text
25 Establishment of the Trade Advisory Group (1) The Trade Advisory Group is established by this section. (2) The Trade Advisory Group consists of the following members: (a) the Chair; (b) at least 6, but not more than 7, other members.Trade and Investment Agreements (Consultation) introduced text
17 Independent analysis of proposed agreement or amendments Requirement to conduct analysis (1) The Minister must cause independent analysis in relation to a proposed free trade agreement, or proposed amendments of a free trade agreement, to be conducted. (2) The Minister must ensure that the independent analysis commences within 3 months after Australia’s negotiating objectives for the free trade agreement or proposed amendments of the free trade agreement are published under subsection 14(1). (3) Without limiting subsection (1), the analysis must consider the expected impacts of the propTrade and Investment Agreements (Consultation) introduced text
19 Independent review after free trade agreement enters into force Requirement to conduct review (1) The Minister must cause an independent review of each free trade agreement that has entered into force, or enters into force, for Australia. Note: This section applies in relation to certain free trade agreements that were in force before the commencement of this section: see section 12. (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the review of a free trade agreement must consider: (a) the impacts of the agreement on the Australian economy and community; and (b) whether the parties to the agreemTrade and Investment Agreements (Consultation) introduced text
16 Minister must not sign certain agreements (1) The Minister must not, on behalf of Australia, sign a proposed free trade agreement unless the agreement includes provisions that preserve Australia’s ability to regulate in the public interest, including for purposes relating to public welfare and product safety. (2) The Minister must not, on behalf of Australia, sign a proposed free trade agreement if the agreement includes any of the following: (a) provisions for investor‑state dispute settlement; (b) commitments that would waive labour market testing beyond Australia’s obligations underTrade and Investment Agreements (Consultation) introduced text
15 Minister to advocate Australia’s interests in certain matters during negotiations for free trade agreements (1) The Minister must ensure that, during the course of negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement, Australia’s interests in the following matters are advocated to each other party to the negotiations: (a) trade in goods (including improved market access for Australian agricultural and industrial goods); (b) trade in services; (c) digital trade; (d) investment opportunities and protections; (e) government procurement; (f) the economic, trade and investment interests of InTrade and Investment Agreements (Consultation) introduced text
16 Minister must not sign certain agreements (1) The Minister must not, on behalf of Australia, sign a proposed free trade agreement unless the agreement includes provisions that preserve Australia’s ability to regulate in the public interest, including for purposes relating to public welfare and product safety. (2) The Minister must not, on behalf of Australia, sign a proposed free trade agreement if the agreement includes any of the following: (a) provisions for investor‑state dispute settlement; (b) commitments that would waive labour market testing beyond Australia’s obligations underTrade and Investment Agreements (Consultation) introduced text
Context
Australia already had an extensive network of trade agreements with 31 economies, but a parliamentary inquiry launched in August 2023 exposed gaps in transparency, accountability and oversight, including how stakeholders and Parliament were involved and whether agreements protected the national interest. After interim and final reports in 2024 recommended a legislative framework, Senator Tim Ayres introduced the bill on 1 July 2026 to require public negotiating objectivesThe outcomes Australia intends to pursue. and independent analysis, establish a diverse advisory group, protect public-interest regulation and bar investor-state dispute settlementA process for foreign investors to claim against governments. from new covered agreements.
Government launches inquiry into trade agreement negotiations
The inquiry examined transparency, accountability, stakeholder consultation, public information and Parliament's role against the backdrop of Australia's agreements with 31 economies.
Trade and Investment Agreements (Consultation) explanatory memorandum ↗Interim report examines negotiation oversight gaps
The committee's interim report focused on evidence about transparency, accountability and oversight in free trade agreementA binding deal that reduces trade barriers. negotiations.
Trade and Investment Agreements (Consultation) explanatory memorandum ↗Final report recommends a legislative framework
The committee's two reports made 13 recommendations, including legislation for free trade agreementA binding deal that reduces trade barriers. negotiations and stronger safeguards for the national and public interest.
Trade and Investment Agreements (Consultation) explanatory memorandum ↗Senator Tim Ayres introduces the consultation bill
The bill responded by proposing public negotiating objectivesThe outcomes Australia intends to pursue., independent analysis, a diverse advisory group, public-interest protections and a ban on investor-state dispute settlementA process for foreign investors to claim against governments. in new covered agreements.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Key criticism
The evidence pack contains no opposition or crossbench debate, so it does not establish any criticism of the bill. It contains only Tim Ayres (Labor) presenting the government's case and saying the bill would strengthen consultation and transparency.
Ayres said the changes would give the public confidence that future trade and investment agreements protect Australia's interests and reflect community values.
Further sources
Votes
No recorded votes have been found yet for this bill.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Ayres urges passage of the bill, arguing that mandatory consultation, transparency and independent impact assessments will ensure future trade agreements reflect community views and protect Australia's interests.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
1 speaker · 1 support
“In the face of increasingly complex and challenging global trade environment, it is vital that Australia pursues economic prosperity in a way that reflects the Australian community. This Bill will ensure that the Australian Government does just that.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
