[LINK] fta.gov.au ???

[Tom Worthington]

At 02:31 AM 30/11/2007, Adam Todd wrote:
>Came across htis by accident this morning: 
>http://www.fta.gov.au/Default.aspx?ArticleID=665 ...

The web site has been replaced with "Site content is being updated". 
But there are copies of the Australian Government's Free Trade 
Agreements web site in the Internet Archive going back to May 2005: 
<http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://fta.gov.au>.

The version of 21 June 2007 says 
<http://web.archive.org/web/20060509080359/http://www.fta.gov.au/>:

"Fta.gov.au is a one-stop online resource to help you make the most 
of Australia's FTAs. This site contains a wealth of practical 
information compiled by Commonwealth agencies to help Australian 
businesses understand and take advantage of our FTAs with the United 
States, Thailand, Singapore and New Zealand."

There is a photo of the then Minister. But I can't imagine any public 
servant is so lacking in common sense as to delete a resource 
designed to help Australian export industries, just because it has a 
photo of the outgoing minister on it. If so, whoever did this should 
have their employment terminated for acting against Australia's 
interests. If a copy of the web site was not archived, then they have 
also acted illegally and should be prosecuted.

The incoming Australian government may have a different view of FTA. 
But I doubt they wish to simply cut off existing programs and leave 
business without assistance, while the public service takes its time 
working out what the new policy is. There are a number of options for 
dealing with the transition, which could be used. Hitting the delete 
button in a panic is not a valid one.



Tom Worthington FACS HLM tom.worthington at tomw.net.au Ph: 0419 496150
Director, Tomw Communications Pty Ltd            ABN: 17 088 714 309
PO Box 13, Belconnen ACT 2617                      http://www.tomw.net.au/
Adjunct Senior Lecturer, ANU