Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

(—) (): The consequences are severe. It will put billions of dollars of trade, billions of dollars in investment in Australia and thousands of jobs at risk for Australia's future if we do not get the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement passed and implemented, because of the growth opportunities that exist. This is an agreement that in terms of skills recognition is bringing China into line with 150 other countries who we already trade with and who can already access skilled 457 visas, countries like the United States, Korea, Japan, Poland, Chile, Germany, Singapore, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Somalia—it brings China into line with Somalia in terms of being able to access skilled 457 visas. It is amazing how silent those opposite go when they hear all those other countries listed—because in that regard this is about providing more opportunities for more investment in Australia, which equals more jobs for Australians. (Time expired)