Karen McNamara (Dobell, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Acting Prime Minister and the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Will the Acting Prime Minister outline the benefits for Australian businesses and workers that would be lost if the China-Australia export agreement does not proceed?

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

I thank the honourable member for her question.

Mr Conroy interjecting—

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

The Acting Prime Minister will resume his seat. The member for Charlton will cease interjecting. He was warned twice yesterday. That warning stands. The Acting Prime Minister

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

China, with 1.3 billion people, is the biggest market in the world. Now Australia, through the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, has the opportunity to participate more fully in that market. It is already our biggest trading partner, with our annual two-way trade exceeding $150 billion. It is Australia's largest export market for agricultural products, with about $100 billion worth of product going to China each year. With China accounting for 43 per cent of global growth in agricultural demand by 2050, this agreement is just so important to the future of Australia's trade and the prosperity of Australian agriculture. When the agreement is fully in place, 95 per cent of our exports to China will be tariff free. That will mean greater opportunities, greater advantages, for Australian exports into that market.

Most Australians and most Australian leaders in industry and in governments are vigorously supporting this agreement. They want it to happen. They know it is good for our country. One by one they have been speaking up and giving advice to those opposite that they need to support this agreement in the interests of our country. I was interested to read today that former ALP president Warren Mundine has joined past and present premiers, Labor and coalition, in supporting this agreement. Certainly Warren Mundine made it absolutely clear where the Labor Party has been on this position and how unsatisfactory it is. In commenting on the union campaign against the China-Australia FTA, he said:

It is a nonsense argument built on misinformation and lies. And federal Labor is indulging it.

He went on to say:

If ChAFTA fails it will be an act of vandalism by Labor against Australia’s economy …

If the premiers want it, if Labor leaders past and present—in the instances of most of the states and territories—

Mr Brendan O'Connor interjecting—

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

The member for Gorton will cease interjecting.

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

If those leaders want it, why don't members opposite want to support this agreement? They must know, like Warren Mundine, that this is an agreement that is good for Australian jobs, good for Australian industry and good for the Australian economy and that it will help secure our relationships with the fastest growing and biggest markets in the world.