Senator ALLISON —My question is directed to the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I note that Minister Downer will be launching a UNICEF report today at 4.00 p.m. which calls for an end to child labour, which it dubs 20th century slavery. Is it not rather contradictory for Minister Downer to be launching this report when the government recently refused to ratify trade and investment agreements with the European Commission and other western countries which link labour standards to trade liberalisation and therefore the rights of children around the world?

Senator HILL —No, not at all. We regard them as separate and distinct issues. I have answered a similar question to this before. It is our preference, as it was the preference of the previous Labor government, to have trade agreements deal with trade matters and human rights agreements deal with human rights matters. There is nothing new in that. That remains our preference and our negotiating position.

Senator ALLISON —Madam President, I ask a supplementary question. I thank the minister for his response. I again ask: how can the minister justify separating the issue of child labour from that of trade when we know that the labour of children contributes to products sold in this country and that as a result of this labour millions of children are being denied a decent standard of living?

Senator HILL —They are separate and distinct issues and the issues of child labour are being addressed by Mr Downer today in the way that Senator Allison indicated.