What conditions has Labour set before backing India-NZ FTA. Details inside

“We firmly believe in free trade, but our free trade agreements must not cause New Zealand harm,” Labour leader Chris Hipkins said, outlining three areas National must address before Labour considers supporting the deal.

Hipkins says his party supports free trade in principle but will not back the proposed agreement with India unless key conditions are met.

Labour has written to National setting out the conditions that must be met before it will consider supporting the agreement.

The party says National “must ensure” -- stronger protections for migrant workers, warning that increased migration could lead to more people being placed in vulnerable employment situations. Second, It also wants safeguards to protect New Zealand’s reputation for quality education, with any students entering under the agreement required to enrol in legitimate education courses.

Third, Labour is also seeking clarity on the rationale, precedent and national interest behind the proposed $33 billion of private investment in India over the next 15 years. The party has raised concerns that any shortfall in that commitment could allow India to unilaterally revoke market access for New Zealand’s apple, honey and kiwifruit sectors.

In addition, Labour is calling for unredacted official advice on the agreement to be provided.

In a statement issued on 15 February, Labour criticised the Prime Minister’s handling of negotiations, saying he imposed a time limit “to fulfil his political agenda and botching the process", that "hamstrung" the negotiation of this agreement. 

“Now he finds himself agreeing to something without the support of his own Government,” the statement added.

The free trade agreement between India and New Zealand will only become a ratified treaty once enabling legislation is passed by both countries’ parliaments. In New Zealand, the deal cannot be finalised or ratified without Labour’s support, as also National’s coalition partner, New Zealand First, already indicated it intends to vote against it.

“Given that the Foreign Minister has felt strongly enough to say he won’t support the deal, we also want to understand exactly what advice officials have provided Ministers. We ask that it is provided, in full, in the spirit of bipartisanship and the best interest of New Zealanders," Hipkins added.