Brett Whiteley (Braddon, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What a performance that was from a union hack that now occupies the seat on the other side of this chamber. Whilst Australia has a relatively small population, it produces and creates far more than it can actually consume. That is why the free trade agreements are so vital to growing our economy, maintaining our high standards of living and securing Australia's place in the international trade of the future.

The local businesses in my electorate who are currently exporting and others who are looking to export in the future need to know how they can best capitalise on the free trade agreements that this government has secured with Japan, Korea and China. They need to learn how to navigate the cultural and language issues. That is why we have secured in Braddon a visit from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Austrade officials to host a seminar next Tuesday, 17 November, starting at 1:30 pm.

Tasmania produces some of the best agricultural produce in the world. Our businesses manufacture some of the world's most innovative products. We have the know-how and the can-do attitude to succeed, and through this seminar we are ensuring that Tasmanian businesses have the information they need to take full advantage of the new free trade agreements that this government and Minister Andrew Robb have delivered for the economic prosperity of this country.