Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

I could just look across the chamber and suggest that it might be right there! We as a government have a very profound commitment to freer trade and investment. This is a very stark choice because, on the other hand, we have the Labor Party not backing opportunities from freer trade and investment but instead seemingly backing the most militant unions in this country, who are running a dishonest campaign against the China FTA and are trying to turn away the opportunities it is going to bring. They just want to turn their backs and walk away. They do not care about new jobs, they do not care about the opportunities for business and industry and, frankly, delaying the agreement is going to be an enormous cost to Australia and to the Australian economy.

I have already said that the former Labor trade minister Mr Crean—if you are not going to listen to us, at least listen to your own elders and betters—has urged the Leader of the Opposition to support the agreement, to pass the deal before the end of the year. (Time expired)