Dan Repacholi (Hunter, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

We are a government who stands up for Australians. We are a government who believes in free, fair and open trade. We stand up for Australians here at home and also on the world stage. Standing up for Australia is exactly what we're doing right now by engaging in ongoing negotiation of a trade agreement with the European Union.

The EU is a massive market, and this is a massive opportunity for our country. The EU has tariffs higher than Australia's. That is why this agreement is so important. Currently, Australian exports to the EU face tariffs of up to 12 per cent on minerals and metals, 10 per cent on wooden paper and seven per cent on chemicals. This agreement will mean Australia will seek the elimination of all EU tariffs on industrial goods, which will give a big advantage to Australian goods exporters. The EU is Australia's third-largest trading partner, with a total two-way trade on goods and services worth $97 billion in 2021 and 2022.

There is a long list of benefits this trade agreement will bring. It will significantly improve market access for Australian exports. An agreement like this will provide guaranteed access for Australian service providers. This agreement will see the expansion of the two-way investment flows. It will also provide a more predictable and seamless business environment that will implement rules to support the digital economy and innovation. An agreement like this will help to create reduced costs and help cut through the red tape—particularly for small business and medium-sized business, who will both hugely benefit as a result of this deal. We will also help consumers by providing greater customer choice. Another benefit is this deal will lead to a higher standard, including on sustainable development.

It makes sense we should have a deal like this in place with the EU. We have a lot of common interests with the EU, as we have a lot to offer the consumers over there. One common interest is wine—and my electorate has stacks of that. Members of the EU like France and Italy think they have great wine. They do, but it just doesn't quite compare to the wine from the Hunter and Australian regions. The thing with some countries in the EU is they think they own all wine. They even want to stop us from calling wines certain names like 'prosecco'. This is another thing this government is standing up for in these negotiations with the EU, because it's not right and it doesn't make sense that the best prosecco in the world can't be called 'prosecco'. Our prosecco industry is hugely important. It's worth over $200 million and, at the moment, is fetching the second-highest average grape price of any white grape variety. If we are unable to call our prosecco by its proper name, it won't be able to be sent all over the world. This will be a big hit on the industry and a massive hit on my electorate and all the producers of prosecco in the Hunter and also Australia. It's important that we put our foot down now. prosecco is a variety of grape; no-one should own the name of a variety of a grape.

If the EU is able to stop us from using the name of a variety of grape from our products, who knows what other terms will not be able to be used? This is also dangerous for other varieties of wine that could also fall victim to their naming rights being taken by the EU. This trade agreement will give us the opportunity to make sure that prosecco producers in this country get a fair. It will allow us to stand up for an industry and protect Australian prosecco. By protecting Australian prosecco, we are showing our unwavering support for what is in Australia's best interests. We are looking out for Australian farmers and businesses, as well as our exporters. We are making sure that this trade agreement is good for farmers, businesses and exporters, and good for the whole of Australia.

I want to give a special mention to the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell, who is doing a great job of negotiating this deal. Not only is this good for our farmers, businesses and exporters; it will also have real-world impact on our workers and our consumers.

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