Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Farrell. I'm sure that I'm joined by everyone in congratulating you on your leadership in that very important portfolio. The European Union is the second-largest economy in the world, with a population of 450 million, boasting a GDP of approximately $31 trillion as of 2025. Today, the Albanese Labor government announced a free trade agreement with the European Union, which marks the culmination of eight years of complex negotiations. What will this deal with the European Union deliver for Australia and, in particular, for Australian workers?

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

Thank you, Senator O'Neill. I know you realise the benefits of this new agreement for your great state of New South Wales. I'm pleased to say that yesterday afternoon, on a visit with Maros Sefcovic, we reached agreement on the FTA with the European Union.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order across the chamber, but in particular on my left!

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

This is a historic achievement. It's a deal that delivers for Australian farmers, Australian miners, Australian manufacturers, winemakers, service suppliers and many, many more. This government does not do deals just for—

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was a bad deal then; it's a bad deal now.

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

Senator McKenzie, I've called the chamber to order, and your constant interjecting is disorderly and disrespectful to me and this chamber.

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

We only do deals when they are in our national interest—outcomes that deliver for all Australians. This is a once-in-a-generation trade agreement with the world's largest economy. It opens access to a market of 27 countries and 450 million consumers, which is a huge opportunity for our world-class producers, farmers, winemakers, businesses and exporters. Lower tariffs on imports from the EU, including what's on the shelf at supermarkets, will create more choices at lower prices and provide some further, welcome relief to those Aussies who are doing it tough right now.

This deal also shows the Albanese government's commitment to a rules based system at a time of global uncertainty. A trade agreement with the EU means that our network of free trade agreements covers almost 90 per cent of the globe. Australia is a trading nation, and we've always been a trading nation. One in four Australian jobs relates to trade. Labor is always delivering for Australian workers, and this historic deal is yet another example of the Albanese government's commitment to growing the Australian economy and ensuring everyone— (Time expired)

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

Senator O'Neill, first supplementary?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much for that comprehensive answer, Minister Farrell. The European Union was, until today, Australia's largest trading partner without a free trade agreement. By securing this deal, the Albanese Labor government has made Australia's economy more resilient and our exports more diverse.

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

Order! Senator Watt and Senator Canavan, if you want to carry on a discussion, may I invite you to leave the chamber? Senator O'Neill, please continue.

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

By securing this deal, the Albanese Labor government has made Australia's economy—

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Has sold us down the river—down the Danube.

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

Order!

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

By securing this deal, the Albanese Labor government—

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

I'm sorry, Senator O'Neill. Senator Wong?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would request that Senator O'Neill be able to commence that question again. She was interrupted multiple times by members of the opposition, and I'm sure Senator Farrell would appreciate the full question being provided.

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! Senator O'Neill, just do the last couple of sentences.

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

By securing this deal, the Albanese Labor government has made Australia's economy more resilient and our exports more diverse. How will this trade agreement with the European Union deliver real economic benefits to Australian farmers and miners?

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

I thank Senator O'Neill for her first supplementary question. This deal delivers for all Australians. It delivers for cattle farmers in Western Australia and the Territory, dairy farmers in Victoria and Tasmania, sugar growers in Queensland, rice growers in New South Wales and winemakers in South Australia. Australians can keep using words like 'parmesan' and 'prosecco' and 'kransky'. Tariffs are removed on dairy and rice. There is 700 per cent more beef access to the European market, 430—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Minister Farrell, I'm sorry. Order! Senator Henderson, I'm not quite sure why you're on your feet, but I called order, so sit down, please.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You need to count to three!

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

Order! I can barely hear Minister Farrell—and he is quite close to me—because of the disorder coming from the left. Minister Farrell, please continue.

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

Wine producers will save nearly $37 million by not paying tariffs.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Hear, hear!

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

Yes, they're good people, winemakers, too. Australian producers of onions, potatoes, carrots, nuts, honey, olive oil, wheat, barley and seafood will benefit by tariff elimination. It's a win for the miners and hardworking Aussies in the resource sector, especially critical minerals.

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

Senator O'Neill, second supplementary?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government is opening valuable new export opportunities and creating more secure, well-paying local jobs through trade. What are the other, broader benefits of this deal with the European Union, including how it will support businesses, strengthen industries and lower costs for Australian consumers?

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

I thank Senator O'Neill for her second supplementary question. This deal means more choices for consumers and lower prices at the check-out. It means cheaper auto parts, machinery and equipment. The elimination of EU tariffs on critical minerals makes resources exports more competitive. The FTA will help bring more EU investment into Australia. We've made a binding commitment to implement obligations under the Paris Agreement on climate change. This deal recognises the interests of Australia's First Nations people, including for art and intellectual property, and it does more to protect labour rights than any other agreement Australia has ever entered into. It's clear that this is a progressive, once-in-a-generation trade deal that will deliver for all Australians.