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

I thank Senator Hanson for her question. I will take on notice the details in relation to your question, Senator Hanson. I'm not aware of the precise dates on which tabling of the different agreements to which you have referred was undertaken. I am, of course, aware that the trans-Pacific partnership, the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, the Japan-Australia free trade agreement and the agreement with South Korea all went through the normal parliamentary process of exhaustive examination through the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties and had, in other instances, multiple inquiries of different parliamentary and Senate committees. The government provided the standard national interest analysis in relation to each of those cases and, indeed, there were often other instances of modelling that were undertaken. For example, in relation to the TPP that modelling demonstrated that Australia's national income would be some $15 billion or so higher per annum by 2030 as a result of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership coming into force.

The government are very proud of the fact that, under us, we have provided greater access for Australian farmers and Australian businesses to more markets around the world. When we were elected, just 20-odd per cent of Australian goods and services could get tariff-free or preferential access into key export markets. That figure now stands closer to 70 per cent. What that means is that our farmers and our businesses are more competitive. They can get their goods into more export markets and they can sell their goods and services at a more competitive rate in those export markets, with lower tariffs, which means lower taxes on those goods and services. This is good news, and it's what has helped to fuel the growth of our economy over the last few years, ensuring our economic growth outstrips that of other G7 nations and our jobs growth has been at record highs, and providing more opportunities for more Australian families.