The federal government has accused Labor of trying to "mug" the free trade deal with China after former prime minister Bob Hawke voiced his support for the deal.

Education Minister Christopher Pyne said the deal, which is opposed by unions, will secure the nation's future for decades.

"Bob Hawke and Bob Carr are both urging the Labor Party to support it and Anthony Albanese and his team are trying to mug it because the CFMEU are telling them to do so," Mr Pyne told The TODAY Show this morning.

Former Labor prime minister and ACTU boss Bob Hawke has warned the opposition and the unions not to oppose the agreement.

"Talk of opposing it is just absolutely against Australia's best interests," Mr Hawke told The Australian.

Labor Infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese said the party supported the deal and said Mr Hawke's comments were not surprising given his close association with China Australia relations.

"I respect his views and I respect his contribution. That's why we're supportive of the agreement," Mr Albanese told TODAY.

"We want to make sure though, that when you look at the detail Australian jobs are protected."

Mr Pyne accused Labor of trying to mug the country to win the next election.

"We're the ones with the plan. We're the ones with jobs," Mr Pyne said.

Labor and the unions are worried the agreement will allow Chinese companies to bring in workers, leaving Australians without a job.

Farmers are trying to counter the union campaign, with a contingent heading to China to reassure Chinese colleagues and government.