Senate debates

Wednesday, 17 June 2020

Questions without Notice

Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement

2:12 pm

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

Right through our time in government, we have sought to grow the choices for Australian farmers and businesses about who they do business with. That is why we have struck trade deals with the Republic of Korea, Japan and China, and have signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership and our Indonesia agreement that comes into force on 5 July. It is why, whilst we are pleased to be launching negotiations with the United Kingdom, we're also determined to conclude negotiations with the European Union, such a significant and valuable partner for us. We're looking to make sure we grow those opportunities across all of those EU nations, which have a population and potential consumer base for Australia of more than 400 million people. We have just completed our seventh round of negotiations with the EU, doing so through virtual organisations and formats, making sure we continue to make real progress to deliver the type of comprehensive relationship that can create more job opportunities for Australians and mutually beneficial outcomes for our nations.

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