Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As everyone in this House knows, and knows very keenly, when it comes to customs tariff amendments we've got to make sure that we have proper discussions on these issues. When it comes to tariffs in particular—and this is something which is dear to my heart—we as a nation have to do everything we can to reduce tariffs globally. As a trading nation, a nation which has relied on trading for many, many years, we have to make sure we get it right. If we see an increase in protectionism, that will harm Australia. I speak from experience as a former trade minister who successfully negotiated the UK free trade agreement and the free trade agreement with India. It is incredibly important that we continue to advocate strongly that the world doesn't go down a protectionist bend. The sad reality is that is what we are seeing. In many quarters we're seeing increased protectionism, which isn't in our interests at all. We've got to show, by example, that we continue to advocate for free trade.

The purpose of the Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals and Other Measures) Bill 2024 is to amend the Customs Tariff Act 1995. The amendments are largely administrative, covering, notably, enhancing productivity; abolishing over 450 nuisance tariffs; setting the general rate of customs duty applicable to tariff headings and subheadings to 'free'; support for Ukraine, extending duty free access for goods imported from Ukraine by 24 months from 4 July 2024 to 3 July 2026; and repeal of spent phasing rates of duty—as the rate applicable to goods classified has been reduced to 'free', they are considered spent provisions and are therefore no longer relevant and not required. This change will result in the relevant general customs duty rates being set to 'free'.

I want to talk for a moment about the key to us continuing to support Ukraine. It's a thousand days today since that immoral and objectionable invasion by Russia of Ukraine. The suffering we've seen of the Ukrainian people at the hands of Russia has been deplorable and despicable. There has been senseless loss of life. A country has been partly destroyed because of this immoral act by Russia.

The only thing that has kept Ukraine going is its extraordinary fortitude and its extraordinary ability to fight for the freedoms that Russia wants to take away from it. It has been a lesson for the globe about standing up against tyranny. I couldn't be prouder of the way that the Ukrainians have fought and fought to protect their sovereignty and to protect their way of life.

Australia has played a role in supporting Ukraine, and that is something that we should all be immensely proud of. We have to make sure that we continue to provide that support, including by enabling Ukraine to export their goods here to Australia and by making sure that we continue to say to Russia, 'What you have done is morally wrong, and we will make sure we oppose it every single day and we will make sure that your exports will not be allowed to come here.' We have to fight this tyranny and we have to help support Ukraine in fighting this tyranny. That's why the particular aspect of the bill which extends the duty-free access for goods imported from Ukraine by a further 24 months, from 4 July 2024 to 3 July 2026, is so welcome, especially when it was the coalition that initially put this measure in place after that heinous act by Russia.

Debate adjourned.