Happy Thursday, President. I've got a great question before me today, and I'd love to ask my question to my very good friend the Minister for Trade and Tourism, the wonderful Senator Farrell. In March, the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese—

Trying to sell the EU agreement?

listen up, Senator McKenzie—and the President of the European Union announced—

Senator Ciccone—

through you—

please resume your seat. Senator Mckenzie, I've tried a number of different strategies today, including humour, which clearly have all failed. If you can't be quiet, leave the chamber. But seriously, I will name you if you can't be quiet. I've tried many different ways, and I'm sure the chamber would agree with me. Senator Ciccone, please continue.

As I was saying: Minister, in March, the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and the President of the European Union announced that Australia and the EU had concluded negotiations on a new free trade agreement. Well done! What does this deal mean for Australia, and what benefits does it bring to all those thousands of small and large Australian businesses?

Thank you, Senator Ciccone, for the question and the great work that you do for the people of Victoria. This is a good deal for Australia—for our exporters, our workers and our industries. It will give Australian businesses access to hundreds of millions of consumers across 27 countries and to an economy worth trillions of dollars. In practical terms, it's not just one market; it's 27 new markets, each with different tastes and opportunities for Australian producers. From its entry into force, nearly 98 per cent of Australian exports to the EU will enter tariff free, delivering benefits worth billions of dollars in the first year alone. By removing prohibitive trade barriers, the agreement will create major opportunities for South Australian fishers, Queensland pineapple growers, New South Wales sheep farmers, Victorian prosecco producers and many, many more. Australian families will also benefit from cheaper European products at the checkout, helping to put downward pressure on prices and ease cost-of-living pressures. When this agreement comes before the parliament next year, there will be no rational reason to stand in its way.

Senator Ciccone, first supplementary?

I'm sure we could all do with a bit of Australian sparkling prosecco right now! But anyway—Minister, what are the benefits of free and fair trade to Australia, and how do Australian workers, exporters and businesses benefit from more trading relationships? And can I also ask: who supports delivering more trade for Australia?

I thank Senator Ciccone for his first supplementary question. Australian industry is lining up to welcome what this agreement will deliver. Almondco said the FTA 'will allow us to be more price competitive in Europe'. The Minerals Council called it 'a major boost for Australia's minerals sector—especially critical minerals supply'. The Business Council of Australia said that the agreement 'gives Australian companies better access to one of the world's largest markets and puts them on a more level playing field with global competitors'. If those opposite will not take the word of Australian industry, perhaps they will listen to Senator Cash, who said, 'Free trade equals jobs, growth, opportunity, and wealth generation,' or to Senator Hume, who infamously said she's 'too fond of good coffee and free markets to join the Nationals'.

Senator Ciccone, second supplementary?

Thanks for that insightful answer, Minister. In fact, I wanted to ask you, given your response just then, what could possibly jeopardise the implementation of the free trade agreement with the EU, and what would be at stake for those thousands of Australian businesses, and workers, and Australia's reputation as a reliable international partner?

I thank Senator Ciccone for his second supplementary question. Some of those opposite would deny Australians the opportunities in this deal, and our approach to free trade more broadly, by imposing more tariffs and erecting new barriers to trade. Senator Canavan, for instance, is trying to lead the Liberal Party away from free trade and straight into an economic dead end. He is promising an economy that exists only in their imagination, all to try and save his own political skin. That approach would mean higher costs for families, fewer opportunities for exporters and an Australia increasingly closed off from the rest of the world. Thankfully, many senators, including some of those opposite, understand that more trade means more opportunity for Australia, especially in the regions. I look forward to working with anyone—

Thank you, Minister Farrell. Minister Wong?

Senator McKenzie interjected at the top of her voice.

That is a good idea. That is an excellent idea!

Thank you, Minister Wong. As you would be aware, I have been trying in many different ways to get the chamber to come to order. I have been creative—

Thank you, whoever said that. It did not work. She was not the only person. Senator Canavan also ran pretty much a monologue the whole time. But we are moving on now.