Patricia Ranald

Dr Patricia Ranald is the convener of the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network and an honorary research associate at the University of Sydney.

Recent articles by Patricia Ranald

Clive Palmer’s foreign investor claims against Australia now $420b

Clive Palmer’s foreign investor claims against Australia now $420b

Clive Palmer's latest claims as a Singaporean coal mine investor using foreign investor state dispute settlement rights in trade agreements to claim billions from the Australian Government join a growing global list of ISDS claims by fossil fuel companies defined by the UN and the OECD as threats to the global climate transition. Labor should speed up its policy to remove ISDS from trade agreements and support proposals for coordinated multilateral withdrawal from ISDS arrangements.

Devil in the detail of UAE trade deal reveals failure on Labor policy

Devil in the detail of UAE trade deal reveals failure on Labor policy

The Labor government has a policy which requires enforceable commitments to internationally recognised labour rights and environmental standards in trade agreements, and to safeguard the rights of First Nations peoples and women. The announcement of negotiations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last year surprised many because the UAE has not ratified some basic labour rights and human rights international agreements and has the worst record on these issues of any Australian trading partner.

Australia, developing countries and the US clash over WTO electronic commerce rules

Australia, developing countries and the US clash over WTO electronic commerce rules

Despite ongoing debates about the need to regulate Big Tech companies Australia is sponsoring a deregulatory international agreement in the face of opposition from both the US and developing countries.

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