Nola Marino (Forrest, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will the minister explain how this government's free trade agreement with China will deliver jobs and growth to the services industry? Are there any risks to the realisation of these benefits?

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Forrest for her question. Her electorate includes the beautiful Margaret River, where tourism services play such a key role in the local and indeed the national economy. While the services industry represents approximately 70 per cent of Australia's gross domestic product and is responsible for employing approximately four out of five Australians, services make up less than 20 per cent of our total export value. There is obviously great potential for growth, and the China-Australia free trade agreement will be opening the door for new opportunities in the services sector, including in the tourism industry.

Already our largest export market for services, worth nearly $7½ billion in 2013-14, China's services commitments represent the best package of outcomes it has provided to any foreign country. But, incredibly, Labor is threatening this agreement as it dances to the tune of its union bosses. Are we to believe that Labor is really convinced of its own dishonest assertions or is it being two-faced? You see, the Leader of the Opposition has form on free trade agreements, and it is relevant and revealing to understanding his true attitude to free trade agreements. The man that Labor wanted the Australian people to vote in as Prime Minister in 2004, one Mark Latham, apparently discussed the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement with the then union boss, now Leader of the Opposition. This is very instructive:

Little Billy (Shorten) was in my ear about the (free trade agreement with the United States), telling me the party has to support it. I said that I thought both he and his union were against it, to which he responded, 'That's just for the members. We need to say that sort of thing when they reckon their jobs are under threat.

Mr Danby interjecting—

Clare O'Neil (Hotham, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Melbourne Ports will cease interjecting. His next interjection will be his last for this day. I give the call to the member for Hotham, bearing in mind that I will not accept frivolous points of order.

Clare O'Neil (Hotham, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do not think it is frivolous at all.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What is your point of order?

Clare O'Neil (Hotham, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, my point of order is on relevance. The question was about the China-Australia free trade agreement—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is no point of order. The member for Hotham will resume her seat.

Ms O'Neil interjecting—

The member for Hotham is warned.

Ms O'Neil interjecting—

The member for Hotham will cease interjecting. The member for Hotham is reflecting on the chair. You can reread my rulings on relevance. The minister is entirely relevant and staying on the topic of the question. She is entitled to quote from a book. You will cease interjecting.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just to recap, this is the man that Labor wanted as Prime Minister of this country talking to 'little Billy Shorten'. He said:

Great, the two faces of little Billy Shorten: Public Shorten against the FTA and Private Billy in favour of it … Political courage is not his long suit.

Well, it is about time the Leader of the Opposition showed courage and supported jobs and supported this free trade agreement.