The government must be crazy to agree to this 'free trade' agreement

But the list of lopsided deals goes on.

Under the deal, Australia will throw open its government procurement markets to US bidders – a concession we have thus far avoided by steering clear of the WTO’s Government Procurement Agreement.

We have stayed out of this agreement because we understand the important role that government procurement has played in industry development in Australia – the government supports fledgling domestic companies by granting them procurement contracts.

Under the proposed agreement however, not only will American firms be able to win these contracts, but Australia will be prohibited from linking any industry development initiatives to procurement at the central level.

For example, we will be unable to require US companies involved in procurement to use Australian suppliers, or to employ a certain number of Australians on their projects.

But this is not to say that Australia should shy away from freer trade in the future.

There is nothing wrong with freer trade – in fact freer trade (implemented mutually and sequenced correctly) can deliver massive opportunities for countries at all levels of development.

But this is not a free trade agreement. This is a lopsided trade and investment deal that will deliver few benefits to Australia and massive benefits to the US.

So the question must be asked – exactly whose national interest is our government advancing?