Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Brown for that question that I know is so important to her home state of Tasmania. Australia's economic prosperity is directly linked to open and stable international markets. One in four Australian jobs relate to trade. Jobs in export industries pay nine per cent more on average, and 32 per cent of Australia's economic output is supported by trade.

I'm proud of what the Albanese Labor government has achieved in the past three years, with solid foundations laid for continuing the work of building stronger and deeper trading relationships with international partners. I recently delivered a keynote speech at the Lowy Institute outlining the Albanese Labor government's second-term trade agenda. Market diversification will continue to be central to the government's trade agenda.

The government will work hard to bring priority agreements into force and progress ongoing negotiations. This includes progressing trade negotiations with the European Union, which would open a market of over 450 million consumers. We're keen to build on the existing trade deal with India to create a new market access for Aussie exporters, particularly for our farmers. We remain committed to strengthening economic ties with our neighbours by implementing a range of initiatives under the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy. The Albanese government is successfully delivering on our commitment of creating new trade opportunities, because more trade means more national income and more well-paying local jobs.