Tania Lawrence (Hasluck, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I acknowledge the member for Page's interest in this matter and I acknowledge the work done by the previous government and the extraordinarily dedicated team at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in negotiating towards a free trade agreement with the European Union. The EU is already one of our major trading partners, of course, but this agreement will lead to yet stronger ties between our countries. Especially when we consider that over half of Australians have some sort of European heritage, an FTA with the EU is a natural fit with many familial and other linkages to support it.

Formal negotiations for this agreement commenced in mid-2018. The most recent round, round 13, was in Brussels between 17 and 21 October, just a few weeks ago. The next round, which may even be the final round, will take place here in Canberra in February. I'm a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth and I follow these matters closely. Since taking office, the Albanese government has taken action to bring the free trade agreements with the UK and India into operation. Those bills are before the parliament, and I look forward to them being passed soon. I expect this agreement with the EU will follow soon after, and I'm hopeful that other trade agreements, such as the one with the UAE, will also come about within this term of government.

Recently the head of the European Parliament's trade committee, Mr Bernd Lange, visited Australia. He was upbeat about the renewed progress of the trade negotiations and was quoted as saying that the Albanese government's enshrining of the emissions reduction target in legislation had removed a major barrier to the finalisation of the agreement.

The member for Page was, of course, elected back in 2013. It is a little ironic that, if he and the former government had done the work to legislate for an emissions reduction target, they may have been able to close this deal on their watch. Nevertheless, the climate bill has passed; the obstacle was removed—you're welcome.

The other reason, perhaps, for negotiations slowing down was the damage done to our relationship with France by the former Prime Minister, the member for Cook. The new Prime Minister, though, has been busy repairing that relationship. It is quite clear that the efforts by the Prime Minister; the foreign minister; the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Farrell; and others have gone a long way towards repairing relationships and instilling trust in our international and trade relationships since the election, just as Ministers Conroy and Bowen will be doing at the COP in Egypt.

To return to the positives: the EU is a market of 450 million people of relatively high average incomes. We look forward to finalising the agreement with the EU, and, as I say, this could occur as early as February. It is right that the member for Page should wish this to occur. Mr Lange of the European Parliament says he expects to see significant progress in February. What the government will not do, however, is rush it. We will get the best outcome for Australia.

Minister Farrell is a fair man, and he will negotiate fairly, putting our nation's interests at the heart of this agreement. European countries have renewed interest in the diversification of trade as the war between Russia and Ukraine has brought home the importance of reducing dependence on Russia, especially for energy. There are many ways in which this new energy economy can be a focus of cooperation between Australia and the EU. The European Commission's report on the most recent round of negotiations in October this year described a good, constructive atmosphere and comprehensive agreement, echoing the words of the member for Page in this motion.

I note that New Zealand have beaten us to the chase: they agreed an FTA with the EU in the middle of the year. Our own agricultural exporters are eager to see increased access to the EU for their quality products. The FTAs that the Albanese government will enact with the UK and with India; the imminent agreement with the EU; the further prospective agreements with other countries, such as the UAE and the Gulf States; and the Pacific Alliance with the South American countries will lead to greater trade and prosperity. It is good timing, as we otherwise face a period of flat growth in the economy.

Crucially, these agreements will help to reduce our dependence on a single large trading partner, which is important in these times, especially when there is a disagreement or a breakdown in those trade relationships. Relationships are important. The government has spent a great deal of time and energy since the May election on repairing and strengthening our relationships with our near neighbours and with countries around the world. This work is now starting to pay off. The finalisation of trade agreements is a sign of that progress and of the re-establishment of the trust that will enable business and trade to flourish.

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