Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott delivers a lecture on "Our Common Challenges: Strengthening Security in the Region" in Singapore in this file photo taken on June 29, 2015. Opposition to the new free trade deal between China and Australia continues to cause problems in the Australian government , as we noted last week . Australia 's ruling Conservative government believes the deal will significantly improve ties between the two countries , opening up Chinese markets to Australia and visa ##s . However , the Labour Party , is withholding support until greater protections are introduced for Australian workers , due to the concerns it will open the floodgates of cheap labour coming from China ; Mr Abbott is backed by the Australian Council of Trade Unions ( ACT ) . Prime Minister Tony Abbott insists , " we can not change this agreement ... we can not reopen the negotiations " , and warns that China may walk away from the deal .
Opposition to the new free trade deal between China and Australia continues to cause problems in the Australian government , as we noted last week . Australia 's ruling Conservative government believes the deal will significantly improve ties between the two countries , opening up Chinese markets to Australia and visa ##s . However , the Labour Party , is withholding support until greater protections are introduced for Australian workers , due to the concerns it will open the floodgates of cheap labour coming from China ; Mr Abbott is backed by the Australian Council of Trade Unions ( ACT ) . Prime Minister Tony Abbott insists , " we can not change this agreement ... we can not reopen the negotiations " , and warns that China may walk away from the deal .