Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

I acknowledge the presence of the Cuban ambassador in the chamber, and I acknowledge the presence of the co-chairs of the Cuban parliamentary friendship group—the member for Newcastle, who brought this motion to the parliament, and the member for Leichhardt.

I want to talk about trade, because trade is essential and vital. Depending on who you talk to, at least one in five, or maybe one in four, jobs in this country are dependent on trade. I have to say that, when in government, the coalition did a very good job in the space of trade. When we came to government in 2013 only about a quarter of our trade was covered by free trade agreements. When we left in 2022 that percentage had risen to around 80. So we understand the value of trade. As a coalition, we are committed to a rules-based multilateral trading system. We believe open trade and investment helps to grow our economy and to create more jobs. During the period 2013-2016, Andrew Robb was our trade minister—the former member for Goldstein. In February 2016, he led Australia's first-ever business mission to Cuba. At the time he said:

Deepening economic ties, through increased trade and investment helps to promote peace and stability in regions, and increasingly, several countries are looking at Cuba in order to leverage new opportunities to mutual benefit. In this regard Australia is an early mover when it comes to engaging new markets in which to do business.

That's what our trade minister said at the time.

As I said, the first order of trade is always about expanding opportunities for our own exporters by opening up more commercially significant and emerging markets. Our second priority in trade is to support the multilateral trading system. The coalition has always been committed to a rules based multilateral trading system. We believe that open trade and investment create more jobs and grow our economy. They do not just grow our own economy but grow the economies of other nations. We want to ensure that as best we can and as far as possible we can do that.

Of Australia's 16 free trade agreements, 13 entered into force under coalition governments—13 out of 16. The number of exporting businesses has grown by around 56,000, including more than 49,000 small and medium enterprises—that is, 10,000 more than when we came to office back in 2013. Between 2013 and 2022 we finalised 11 trade agreements, including the free trade agreement with United Kingdom and the economic cooperation and trade agreement with India.

This is an important motion that has been moved by the member for Newcastle, who I like, who I think brings some common sense to this place. She and I worked together for the international status of Newcastle airport, which I know she was a great advocate for, and that also led to more investment and opportunities, particularly between New Zealand and our country.

Importantly, Australia supported the United Nations General Assembly resolution of 2 November last year to which the member for Newcastle's motion refers. Australia has previously supported, for example, a comparable resolution of October 2014 during the coalition's time in government, of course. On each of these two occasions, as the member for Newcastle motion suggests, only the United States and Israel opposed. We understand that. Let's be honest, among the first barriers to any ending of the United States' embargo against Cuba will be the US designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism. We acknowledge that. We appreciate that not everybody will be on the same page when it comes to these things. But I also take heed of what the member for Newcastle said in her remarks. I appreciate the notations in her motion and I appreciate what my good friend the member for Leichhardt has said in the space. I acknowledge, as I say, the willingness, the cooperation, the collaboration that Cuba brings to this debate. The fact that the ambassador is in the chamber listening to this debate is important. It is a landmark moment and, indeed, the motion is vital.

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