Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government has worked day and night to rebuild our trading relations that we inherited from those opposite when they left office. Let's be honest about it: they left us with trade impediments of billions and billions of dollars. Indeed, today's Australia-EU free trade agreement represents an opportunity for Australian farmers, fishers and other agricultural producers. It's not only an important outcome at a time of global trade uncertainty; it further supports the diversification of our agricultural products and our agricultural exports.

The EU is the world's second-largest economy and Australia's third-largest two-way trading partner, with our agricultural exports to the EU valued at $4 billion in 2025. This figure is set to grow under the free trade agreement, which will ensure more EU consumers can continue to access Australia's high-quality food and fibre. The agreement eliminates the vast majority of EU tariffs on agricultural products. It will support around $17 million in tariff savings for wine, based on current trade, along with a reduction in testing requirements, removing red tape and reducing export overheads.

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