Michael Johnson (Ryan, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I do not want to waste my time here. I know that the opposition are trying to sidetrack me from talking about my strong representation of the Ryan electorate, which has the lowest unemployment rate in the country. I should say that, because many of the Ryan businesses export to the region and indeed to the world.

I end my remarks on this point: the world must never return to protectionist policies. It must never return to an inward-looking approach to our national and international policies. The wealth of our nation and, indeed, of our globe will continue to rise and expand if we can engage with the world. I commend a very interesting and significant book called The World is Flat by Tom Friedman. For anyone who might be listening, I commend the very interesting chapter on free trade to them. It is chapter 5, and it talks about how significant it is for economies and for societies to be able to connect with the rest of the world. That is the best formula for delivering opportunities and jobs to the people of those communities—in particular, to the people of the developing world. I want to continue to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in the Ryan electorate. I know that many businesspeople will be watching the success of the APEC meeting very closely—(Time expired)

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