Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question. I also thank other Tasmanian members for continuing to draw my attention to the vital importance for a state like Tasmania of having competitive shipping rates. Simple geography demands that for Tasmania to be competitive it has to have shipping rates that are comparable with freight rates in other parts of the country. Shipping plays a vital part in Australia's economy. Around 99.5 per cent of Australia's trade is carried by ship.

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