Jodie Belyea (Dunkley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Yesterday, the Albanese Labor government concluded a range of important agreements with the European Union. At a time of global uncertainty, why do these agreements matter, and what has been the response?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the fantastic member for Dunkley for her question and thank her as well for her ongoing advocacy on behalf of the people of Frankston and the region that she's so proud to represent. International trade can make a difference in local communities. That's the point here, because it's about strengthening our economy and strengthening jobs.

Yesterday, we finalised three agreements with the European Union. One boosts Australian research and development through connecting us up with Horizon in Europe. One boosts our defence and security cooperation with Europe—that's so important. And, after eight long years of negotiation, this government secured an Australia-EU free trade agreement. This opens up access to 27 European markets for our Australian products and makes European goods cheaper for Australians here at home. It's a win as well for 450 million Europeans, who get more access to Australian products—the best in the world—and it's a win for our nation, for business, for primary producers and for consumers. It's a win for everyone who backs Australia and who wants to see more trade and more Australian industry.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I take the interjections from those opposite. The Nats claim to speak for the bush, but they say that massive increases in exports of red meat is somehow a bad thing. This agreement provides for eight times the access for our beef—eight times. Is that better or worse? Instead of 4,000 tonnes, it is 35,000 tonnes—making an enormous difference—plus five times the increase in access for sheepmeat.

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Order, the members on my left. The member for Groom is now warned.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Those opposite used to say that they supported free trade. They used to do that, but they've just gone backwards. They're so spooked by the one guy—who hasn't even bothered to turn up today—up in the corner that they're adopting policies and just trying to be 'One Nation lite' when it comes to trade and trade issues.

Honourable members interjecting—

There he is! He doesn't even have to be in the room for the tail to wag the dog. He doesn't even have to be in the room. Well, we back Australian trade, we back Australian producers and we back Australian consumers. The coalition will just continue to talk Australia down.