Mal Washer (Moore, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

That is another issue. We cannot afford to compete. The Swedish economy has a highly developed, successful industrial sector which is export orientated. The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences has noted that big business is a key driver of R&D, accounting for three per cent of GDP. Real job growth is still a problem in Sweden. Like Denmark, the issue of migration and sufficient numbers of skilled people needs to be addressed.

Sweden and Denmark both share Australia’s concern with the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy. Sweden believes that the recent pressure put on the Baltic States and the Ukraine by Russia regarding gas supplies is a matter of concern. Sweden is very dependent on nuclear power and is naturally interested in Australia’s uranium mining policies. Sweden’s environmental objectives are documented in the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Heritage report Sustainable cities. Australian wine—

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