Media Statement - 8th October 2007
Australian businesses should be able to take advantage of rapidly growing markets in China without risking the loss of valuable intellectual property.
For a number of years now I have been calling on the government to make a greater effort to secure the intellectual property of Australian’s doing business with China.
The announcement over the weekend that the Government has joined, as a third party, in the World Trade Organisation dispute brought by the United States against China on the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights is a small tentative step in the right direction.
An important opportunity to make progress in this area was lost recently when the government did not take up Labor’s suggestion to use its position as the current chair of APEC to pursue the issue.
An even greater opportunity was lost when the government granted market economy status to China without insisting on an appropriate dividend for Australian exporters, such as protection for their intellectual property.
Labor has been absolutely consistent in calling for this intellectual property issue to be resolved.
There is great potential to further expand Australia’s exports to China, especially in the services and the niche manufacturing sectors.
I have called on the government to work with next year’s APEC chair, Peru, and subsequent chairs, Singapore and Japan, to progress a range of issues vital to the interests of Australian Exporters.
I have also called for a renewed focus on “behind the border” issues, including intellectual property, in all multilateral, regional and bilateral negotiations.
The intellectual property of Australian businesses must be protected.
We cannot afford more lost opportunities.