APEC, the WTO and bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs): which way forward for Japan's agricultural trade liberalisation? Japan is an important market for Australian farm products, but high import barriers prevent the full potential of this market from being realised. Japan has consistently presented stiff opposition to agricultural trade liberalisation - in APEC, at the WTO, and in bilateral free trade negotiations. The project, by identifying which negotiating arena is most likely to deliver ....APEC, the WTO and bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs): which way forward for Japan's agricultural trade liberalisation? Japan is an important market for Australian farm products, but high import barriers prevent the full potential of this market from being realised. Japan has consistently presented stiff opposition to agricultural trade liberalisation - in APEC, at the WTO, and in bilateral free trade negotiations. The project, by identifying which negotiating arena is most likely to deliver an agreement to liberalise agricultural trade, will contribute to the advancement of Australia's economic and trading interests. Improving access to the Japanese market for agricultural products in the context of a broader trade agreement will generate substantial dividends for Australian farmers as well as tangible benefits for the wider community.Read moreRead less
Labour Force Challenges in the Building and Construction Industry: Skills Infrastructure and Migrant Workers. The project examines the sustainability of present labour supply arrangements in the building and construction industry in the context of restructuring and reorientation of the major construction companies and the intensification of pyramid sub-contracting arrangements. This will highlight the challenges engendered by the changing pattern of training and skill accreditation, sourcing an ....Labour Force Challenges in the Building and Construction Industry: Skills Infrastructure and Migrant Workers. The project examines the sustainability of present labour supply arrangements in the building and construction industry in the context of restructuring and reorientation of the major construction companies and the intensification of pyramid sub-contracting arrangements. This will highlight the challenges engendered by the changing pattern of training and skill accreditation, sourcing and recruitment arrangements, and industry resort to immigrant and short-term and clandestine migrant workers. The analysis of labour supply arrangements will inform a better assessment of the capacity of the industry to improve construction standards and promote technological advances, and thereby contribute to charting a new strategic vision.Read moreRead less