Inquiry into expanding membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry thanks the committee for the opportunity to comment on the range of issues under consideration in this inquiry. We note that most of the issues in the terms of reference have been subject to many earlier inquiries. We suggest it would be useful for this inquiry to consider recommendations and issues arising from these earlier inquiries. A number of nations have expressed interest in joining the CPTPP and the process for accession is available at https://www.mfat.govt.nz/assets/Trade-agreements/CPTPP/Accession-Process.pdf . We assume that new entrants must “buy it off the shelf” and cannot negotiate to adjust the commitments, nor its scope. Clarity on this would assist both new entrants and existing members.