David Coleman (Banks, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Trade and Investment. Will the minister outline to the House how the campaign of misinformation being waged by militant elements of the union movement against the free trade agreement with China is threatening the opportunities for jobs and growth that the agreement provides?

Andrew Robb (Goldstein, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade and Investment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to acknowledge the member's very able representation of a strong and vibrant Chinese community in his electorate. I have enjoyed many meetings with the members of that community. These Chinese Australians contribute so much to his electorate in community spirit and job creation.

I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the government, to condemn in the strongest possible terms the dishonest, vile and racist campaign being waged against the Chinese people by militant elements of the union movement—namely, the CFMEU and the ETU. Those opposite should be ashamed for supporting it. It is New South Wales's 'poles and wires' all over again. It is a total disgrace.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I simply ask that you remind the minister of the ruling you made earlier on an answer from the Prime Minister.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am listening very closely. The minister can talk about a document or an organisation, but he cannot reflect on individual members.

Andrew Robb (Goldstein, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade and Investment) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The China free trade agreement, about creating tens of thousands of new jobs for Australians, is one that is under threat from those opposite. Let me provide another example of the opportunities being put in jeopardy—this time, Blackmores, a well-known company, our largest natural health company, who have been around for 83 years. They operate in 14 countries and they employ 1,000 people. They are a huge supporter of the China free trade agreement. CEO Christine Holgate said that in China her company faced an average tariff of 20 per cent and, for some important products such as fish oils, over 35 per cent. These tariffs will be eliminated. They will go to zero under the free trade agreement, enabling Blackmores to be super-competitive against lower cost, lower quality products. In the last year, Blackmores' sales have grown 30 per cent and they are expecting profits to grow 75 per cent, in large part because of the free trade agreements with Japan and Korea. Furthermore, Blackmores are expanding their business in anticipation of further growth with these massive reductions in tariffs in China. In the last six months alone, Blackmores have created over 100 new jobs on Sydney's northern beaches. They also pay a lot of tax.

I say to those opposite: get out of the way and start backing Australian jobs and growth.