Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

There has been widespread welcoming of this agreement from a range of key industry sources. The National Farmers' Federation notes that it locks in important new trade opportunities for our meat, grains, sugar, dairy and horticultural producers. Ai Group calls it a 'ground-breaking agreement to dedicate an entire FTA chapter to non-tariff measures, as well as streamlining the export documentation requirements'. The Australian Services Roundtable called it 'a stand-out success on multiple fronts … not only in tourism and education but also in mining services, health, hospital and aged care services, in architecture and engineering'. The Minerals Council said that it would not only provide new export opportunities for Australia, it will also support economic growth and development in one of Australia's nearest and most important neighbours. The Australian Livestock Export Council called the agreement one of 'common ground and substantive outcomes', of 'great significance' for our organisation and that 'red-meat bodies have long argued for and supported'. They are coupled with positive comments from grain growers, from AUSVEG and a range of Australian producers. (Time expired)