Keith Pitt (Hinkler, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Back to business, thank you, Mr Speaker. My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development.

Dr Chalmers interjecting—

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

The member for Rankin is warned.

Keith Pitt (Hinkler, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Will the Deputy Prime Minister update the House on how the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement will provide new opportunities for Australian businesses and protect Australian jobs, particularly in regional Australia?

Dr Chalmers interjecting—

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

The member for Rankin is warned, I remind him.

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for the question. China is already Australia's most significant trading partner, and with the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement that partnership is going to grow stronger and stronger in almost every sector. Almost all sectors of the Australian economy, almost all businesses, are going to benefit from this agreement. China has become Australia's most important market in tourism. Chinese tourists spent $5 billion in Australia last year, the most from any country. They are the second biggest in visitor numbers behind New Zealand, but Chinese visitors spend more than New Zealanders when they come to Australia. I was interested to note that in the member for Hinkler's electorate international visitations were up 14.1 per cent last year. So tourism matters not just to the glitter strips but also to regional communities that have tourist attractions that are likely to interest people who come from countries like China.

The reality is that this free trade agreement is supported by all of the state premiers, it is supported by industry and it is supported by those who believe in our country and believe in its capacity to deliver a better quality of life for all Australians. Even our biggest airline, Qantas, has been a very strong supporter of the free trade agreement. I was interested to read an op ed today by Alan Joyce, the CEO of Qantas. He made the point, in commenting on some of the ridiculous claims being made by certain trade unions: 'Unfortunately, opponents of the deal have resorted to some deeply misleading claims, with the threat that the FTA will strip away protections from Australian workers. This is plain wrong. There are strong, multilayered safeguards in our skilled migration system to preserve the integrity of the labour market. The reality is that, far from harming Australian workers, the FTA will actually create new jobs, as Australian companies benefit from much better access to Chinese markets and investment. If we fail to take advantage of opportunities like the China free trade agreement, other countries will.'

That is a clear warning, clear advice, from Alan Joyce, a person well and truly understanding of the international trading situation. Qantas support the free trade agreement, the state premiers support the free trade agreement, business and industry support the free trade agreement; it is high time Labor listened and also supported the free trade agreement.