Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. At a time of a national fuel crisis, which is hurting our farmers, the National Farmers' Federation is extremely disappointed with the free trade agreement with the European Union announced today, and said Australian farmers 'will now pay the price for this subpar EU deal for decades to come'. Minister, do you really believe this is a good deal for Australian farmers?

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

I say to the member opposite that we're strong advocates on this side of the House for farmers and producers, and that's what you've seen from us since we've been in government. That's what you've seen from us in terms of getting our world-class products right across the globe.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Members on my left, we're not having yelling while the minister is on her feet.

Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to 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.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Just resume your seat for a moment, please, the Leader of the Nationals in the House of Representatives. The minister was asked, 'Does she believe this is a good deal?' She is going through exactly what she was asked about—the deal about which she was asked. I know the leader would like a yes/no answer, but the minister is being directly relevant, so, at this stage, I'm not prepared to take the point of order.

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

The chief executive of Australian Grape and Wine, Mr Lee McLean, said today:

The removal of tariffs on Australian wine entering the EU is good news for our exporters and for the long-term competitiveness of Australian wine in a major global market.

The CEO of AUSVEG said—

Australia achieving an FTA with the European Union—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister is going to pause. I want to pause for a moment while she's concluding her answer. I was very clear that I did not want yelling during this minister's answer. The member for Maranoa has ignored me, so he'll leave the chamber under 94(a). We had a continuing force of noise there when the minister is updating the House on what she was asked about.

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

I was about to quote the CEO of AUSVEG, who said:

Australia achieving an FTA with the European Union is welcome news which will benefit Australian grower-exporters of onions, and other vegetable crops through tariff elimination and reductions.

On this side of the House, we do understand the importance of fair trade and the benefits that it brings to farmers and producers. Our agriculture, fisheries and forestry exports were valued at more than $82 billion in 2025. This is a 38 per cent increase since 2021, the last time that you were in office. This has only been made possible because of the careful and considered approach that we have taken to restoring our international trading relationships.