Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Furner for his first supplementary question. The Senate may be interested to know that there is much support for Australia's strong trading relationship—an active role in the WTO process that the rules based system provides for Australia as a participant.

Ms Julie Bishop, the shadow foreign minister, said on 19 August to the Australian:

We remain committed to the WTO rules-based framework to Australia honouring its inter­national obligations. I am going to ensure that we don't deviate from that.

Despite this support, there has been no shortage of attempts by the Liberals and the Nationals to risk Australia's trading relationship and risk the livelihood of the very farmers they are supposed to represent. The most recent of these was the ill-conceived and protectionist bill prepared by Mr Cobb that could have put at risk $110 million worth of sugar we send to New Zealand, the $39 million in Tasmanian chocolate exports or the $52 million— (Time expired)