Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to my good friend and Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator Farrell.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, he is. Since the Albanese Labor government was first elected, great strides have been made in opening many opportunities for Australian businesses into overseas markets. This has included a secure and comprehensive trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates. Could the minister please update the Senate on the many benefits of this trade deal with the UAE and how the Albanese government has helped many Australian businesses weather the storm of dramatic changes to global trade.

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

I thank my good friend Senator Ciccone for that question. Of course, this is an area where I have some expertise. The Albanese Labor government is committed to supporting free and fair trade. After all, one in four Australian jobs relates to trade. With this in mind, we've been hard at work to ensure that our world-class industries are best placed not just to weather the storm but to grow and succeed. We've been building stronger and deeper trading relationships across the globe. This approach is paying off. In the last financial year Australia's total trade reached a record $1.3 trillion. I'll repeat that for Senator Shoebridge. It reached a record $1.3 trillion. It didn't just happen. We've created new opportunities and built on existing relationships to deliver for Australian businesses and their employees.

Our most recent major achievement was the implementation of a trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates on 1 October last year. Last week, I returned from a trip to the UAE, where I led the largest ever delegation to showcase the best of our produce at the gulf export expo in Dubai with the former member of parliament Mr Christopher Pyne. The Australian pavilion was a beehive of activity, with buyers seeking to take advantage of purchasing the best food in the world at competitive prices thanks to our trade deal. Notably, our beef exports to the UAE have doubled. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ciccone, first supplementary?

Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank my good friend the minister for that wonderful answer. Market diversification has been central to the Albanese government's trade agenda, and a great deal has been achieved over the past four years to grow Australian businesses, support local jobs and help sell our world-class goods and services to the world. Could the minister please provide an update on what further opportunities the government is opening for the many Australian farmers, businesses and workers.

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

I thank my good friend Senator Ciccone for his first supplementary question. Despite the significant trade achievements over the past four years, there is more that can be done. This includes securing a comprehensive trade deal with the European Union. The EU is our largest trading partner without a trade agreement. It's a high-income market of 450 million people. Concluding a deal will complete the last major piece in Australia's network of free trade agreements. I look forward to meeting my European counterpart soon to close the gaps on the very few remaining issues, and I'm confident that a deal can be done and will be done, which would require a better offer by the EU on agricultural market access.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ciccone, second supplementary?

Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thanks again to my good mate the minister for that answer. Minister, creating export opportunities for Australian farmers, businesses and workers has clearly been a priority for this government. What action has the Albanese government taken to support and promote Australian world-class exports of goods and services to the world?

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

I thank my good friend Senator Ciccone for his second supplementary question. With an increasing level of global economic uncertainty, new export strategies are required to stay resilient and competitive. The Albanese Labor government is delivering on our election commitment to work with industry to grow and diversify into overseas markets. Recently, I announced that 40 peak industry bodies would join the Trade Diversification Network as part of the government's $50 million Accessing New Markets Initiative.