Ellie Whiteaker (WA, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

():  My question is to the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Farrell. On 24 March, the Prime Minister announced a landmark deal with the European Union. This deal—some eight years in the making—is a milestone for Australia. The European Union is the world's second largest economy, a market of 450 million consumers, yet Australian exporters have faced prohibitive tariff barriers when trying to access it. What real change does this new market access to the EU deliver for farmers, producers, exporters and Australians?

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

I thank Senator Whiteaker for her first question. She certainly understands the wonderful benefits that are going to come to her home state of Western Australia from this new free trade agreement. Senator Canavan, you won't like this answer either, but the European Union is the world's second largest economy, and we estimate that, in its first year, this agreement will be worth $10 billion for Australia. But don't think of this as just one agreement, Senator Canavan; it's essentially 27 new agreements. It's doubling, in one fell swoop, the number of Australian free trade agreements. It's great news for the Australian businesses, opening up access to a market of 27 countries and 450 million new consumers.

Just to give you one example, the seafood industry, which is so important to Western Australia—particularly all those wonderful crayfish—will see the removal of up to 26 per cent on tariffs, making it easier for the $7 million worth of seafood exports to the EU to grow and thrive. Tariffs on Aussie dairy, rice, nuts, honey, olive oil, fruit and veg will all be either eliminated or significantly reduced. Tariffs on our critical minerals—which are very important to Western Australia, Senator Whiteaker—will be cut to zero, and we will strengthen cooperation between Australia and the EU on critical minerals, renewables and research. The Australian excellent wine industry—and you make some beautiful wines in Western Australia, almost as good as South Australia. There's good news—

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) | Link to this | Hansard source

A nice Stanthorpe riesling!

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

No, Xanadu won the top award. I presented it to them a couple of weeks ago. Our world-class— (Time expired)

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

Senator Whiteaker, first supplementary?

Ellie Whiteaker (WA, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. I know as neighbours you understand my home state of Western Australia very well. Of course, it's home to world-class critical mineral deposits, a premium wine industry—better than South Australia's!—and agricultural exporters who have long sought improved access to the European markets. What does this Australia-European Union free trade agreement deliver specifically for Western Australian exporters, investors, producers and workers?

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

I thank Senator Whiteaker for her first supplementary question. Western Australian wines are as good as South Australian wines.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Yes, there we go. But the Australia-European Union free trade agreement will create new opportunities for Western Australia to export its world-class goods to the EU, including minerals, wheat, barley, beef and sheepmeat. It will grant WA exporters immediate access to the EU markets, with the vast majority of EU tariffs eliminated or duty-free access locked in. It delivers commercially meaningful outcomes for WA beef and sheepmeat exporters and the elimination of tariffs on agriculture of exporters of wine, wheat, barley, vegetables and fresh fruit. The outcomes secured in the Australia-EU FTA will help increase investment into Western Australia. Greater certainty for EU investors will add the attractiveness of Australia— (Time expired)

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

Senator Whiteaker, second supplementary?

Ellie Whiteaker (WA, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. Another great state is of course Queensland, home to some of Australia's most significant export industries, yet farmers and producers have long faced restrictive and frustrating trade barriers when attempting to access the European market. How will Queensland farmers and producers benefit from the free trade agreement between the European Union and Australia, and what places those benefits at risk?

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

I thank Senator Whiteaker for her second supplementary question. Queensland exporters will benefit from the elimination of tariffs on wheat, copper, seafood, vegetables and much more. But there's one key thing placing those benefits at risk, and it's those who promise easy solutions. The argument for free trade and against protectionism was aptly put in 2013. I quote:

Those who argue for fortress Australia are wrong. The pursuit of global opportunities in sectors where we can excel will strengthen us.

That apt reflection was in fact made by the Leader of the Opposition in his maiden speech. I say it was easy to argue for barriers. It's easy to tap into the frustrations of a community by blaming the systems. But Australia is an island nation, and we rely on imports just as much as we rely on exports. Each import is a lower cost at the check-out. Each export is a farming or production job— (Time expired)