Ian Goodenough (Moore, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Exporters have been responsible for the strength of the national economic recovery from the global pandemic. Australia had a trade surplus of $77.4 billion last financial year, the largest financial year trade surplus ever. Australia's exports have grown from $306 billion dollars in 2012- 2013 to $476.6 billion in 2019-2020.

Australia is geographically located within the Indo-Pacific region, which has been the focus of geopolitical tensions and risk in recent times. Strategically, our future advantage, security and economic prosperity lies in the diversification of our trading and investment relationships with a wider range of nations in order that Australia does not become overly reliant on a single market and that our international trade routes and supply chains remain open. Through improved diplomatic outreach, trade delegations, international exchanges and foreign aid, Australia can develop closer relationships with neighbouring regional economic blocks, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Our government is fostering more opportunities for Australian exporters through free trade agreements with China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Peru, as well as the 11 nations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations. (Time expired)