Two Labor premiers and a state opposition leader have backed the current wording of Australia’s free trade agreement with China, putting them at odds with their federal leader.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, his South Australian counterpart Jay Weatherill and NSW opposition leader Luke Foley all support the deal, The Australian reported on Wednesday.

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Mr Foley, the most recent to publicly back the deal, was quoted as saying it “should not be torpedoed”.

They joined former Labor PM Bob Hawke and former NSW Labor Premier Bob Carr, who recently called on the party to approve the deal.

The China deal has been signed but must receive the support of parliament before it comes into effect.

At the federal level, Labor and the union movement have concerns about the deal paving the way for foreign workers to take Australian jobs.

-with AAP