The video opens to a Caucasian family in a dimly lit living room. Father and son are at the dining table, the mother is folding the laundry. The topic of conversation? The government's proposed free trade agreement with China.

"Tony Abbott's stuffed it up," says Dad, as the camera cuts to a toddler munching on white bread. "He's letting Chinese companies bring in their own workers."

"What, can't we do the work?" asks Mum. "They don't even have to advertise the jobs," replies Dad. "Sorry, but you won't even get a look in, son."

The advertisement from the Electrical Trades Union is part of a massive campaign by Australian unions against the proposed FTA with China. Is it xenophobic? The government certainly thinks so.