The ACTU Executive today resolved to oppose a new WTO round unless the Australian Government agrees to support

• A process to transform the WTO from a body promoting the trade and economic agenda of business to one focused on trade in the context of civil society and working families, including support for core labour standards,human rights, and environmentally sustainable development.

• Social audits and national interest tests within Australia to assess current and past economic and trade policy, trade liberalisation, privatisation, contracting out, competitive tendering and the issue of companies being required to meet Community Service obligations

• Australia remaining free to develop a comprehensive trade and industry development policy to promote high value added jobs, and a knowledge economy, consistent with ACTU policy on retention of tariffs

• Guarantees concerning sovereign rights for governments to determine nation-specific policies, including public services, compettion, investment, and procurement.