Ken O'Dowd (Flynn, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In December 2015, the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, or ChAFTA, was signed. Over the last six months, the Chinese government has imposed restrictions and disruptions on a range of Australian products. A third of Australian agricultural products—meat, grain, citrus, wine, seafood and other products—go to China.

In my electorate, 2PH Farms, owned by Craig and Bindi Pressler, have major concerns, as they export citrus and grapes. Nearly half of Queensland's $74 million of citrus exports is produced by this family operation.

Also concerning to me is that, on 24 May, 170,000 tonnes of coal left the port of Gladstone in my state of Queensland, and the shipment has been idling in the North China Sea since 13 June. Health and wellbeing concerns are held for the 23 Indian sailors who have been stranded on the ship for the last five months.

China's market is vital to all Australian produce, to mining and to gas exports. Tensions with China are a major concern to our producers. The consequences of this are nothing short of catastrophic for the Australian economy and employment. Exporters need assurances for future planning and viability and to ensure their products have a market.