Sam Birrell (Nicholls, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Free trade agreements are important. The European FTA is a test for Labor. I think the coalition has got a very proud history on free trade agreements, finalising 11 free trade agreements since 2013. That really lifted the share of Australia's trade covered by FTAs, from 27 per cent in 2013 to almost 80 per cent. In my electorate of Nicholls, primary producers, growers and food processors all benefit from the coalition's track record of delivering fair and balanced free trade agreements with other nations. We've got a gross regional product of $6.6 billion, of which $1.5 billion is down to agriculture. This really benefits from those free trade agreements. As I said, the coalition has got a proud record of finalising these things. The EU free trade agreement is well on its way.

But we have to make sure that we negotiate a comprehensive deal to drive Australian exports, economic growth and job creation. A high-quality FTA with the EU should deliver expanded trade in goods and significantly better market access. It needs to do that.

The European Union has a history of expanding protectionism through free trade agreements, particularly using what are called geographical indicators. Many people would be familiar with champagne, which can only be labelled as such if it comes from the Champagne region of France. As a result, we now enjoy Australian-made sparkling wine.

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