Wednesday, 04 March 2026 14:25

FTA and Uber Drivers

Written by Milking It

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OPINION: Expect the Indian free trade deal to feature strongly in the election campaign.

Trade Minister Todd McClay says he's working constructively with the Labour Party in the hope they will endorse the deal with India when the agreement comes before Parliament for ratification.

National needs the support of Labour because NZ First's Winston Peters has made it clear he'll oppose the deal, claiming it is not a good one for Nz. He has expressed concern about immigration provisions in the FTA as it stands.

Expect Peters and Shane Jones to up the rhetoric around an influx of Indian migrants because of the deal.

Jones recently delivered what could be the first salvo: "we are not going to be a dumping ground for people trying to come to New Zealand and set up New Delhi".

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