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

China accounts for 40 per cent of Australia's exports but for Western Australia the figure is 51 per cent. Over half of all the exports from Western Australia go to China. It is quite staggering to know that exports to China from Western Australia have increased from $5 billion to $64 billion in the last decade. That is obviously so critical, therefore, to the export industries of Western Australia.

When it comes to Western Australian imports, the second most important country for imports is from China. So you would think, of all states, there would be unanimous support for the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. You would think that everyone would be backing this important agreement. Opening up of tariff-free entry would mean that with implementation of the program around 95 per cent of the exports will be tariff free.

This government will fight to make sure we can deliver a better future. We will fight for our exporters and we will fight for this free trade agreement, and it is high time that members opposite did exactly the same. If they want a bright future for Western Australia they will be backing the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

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