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

I thank Senator Hanson for her question. These are very difficult times for many Australian businesses who have trade relations with China. The Australian government has expressed deep concern at the fact that China, through a series of actions, particularly through the course of this year but some of them dating back over a couple of years, has taken adverse action against Australia and Australian exporters. We absolutely oppose the actions that China has taken. We have sought, very clearly, to engage China, both in terms of the detail of the actions they've taken and to urge them to the table. As the Prime Minister, Senator Payne—and with bipartisan support—and Senator Wong have indicated today, we're also grievously offended by the actions of the Chinese foreign ministry in relation to the image and words they have posted on Twitter today.

Our government has not just fostered open trading relations with China, we have equally fostered them through a range of agreements struck with Japan, with the Republic of Korea, with Canada, with Mexico, with Peru, with Vietnam and with Indonesia. We have opened the door for trading relations for Australian businesses right around the world. We pursue similar trade agreements with the European Union, the United Kingdom and deeper trade relations with India and a range of other countries and markets.

Ours is a market economy, in which Australian businesses and companies make decisions about with whom they trade and where they trade—who they sell their goods to and from whom they buy; what they choose to do. Under those agreements, and under the terms of our economy, we encourage businesses to get out there, because what that has achieved is 33 consecutive months where Australia has exported more than we've imported as a nation. That's good news for Australia; it's been good news for businesses— (Time expired)