Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Polley for her continued interest not only in agriculture but also in where the future for agricultural products can be. Yesterday the Prime Minister released the Australia in the Asian Century white paper. It is a roadmap showing how Australia can play a significant part in the Asian century. It is an ambitious plan for decades ahead, because in Australia there are many opportunities for Australian agriculture and our farmers. Asia is where the middle class is growing. The numbers are very large, but in the next two decades Asia is projected to grow significantly to 3.2 billion people.

Asia is where by 2025 half of the world's economic growth will be concentrated. Asia is where the population has a changing preference, seeking higher-protein foods such as beef, wheat and dairy—high-value products that are produced by our agricultural sector. Australia is in the right place at the right time. But it is not enough to rely on this. Our future will be determined by the choices we make. The food plan coupled with the Asian century white paper will drive government and industry action to position Australia as a food leader in the region. That is why the Gillard government is developing Australia's first-ever national food plan to support the work that is being done. Australia has a natural advantage. Asia wants a significant amount of produce from this country, and we need to be well placed to provide those preferences.

In the past decade we have seen a shift in the export share from Europe to Asia. Asian now receives between 55 and 60 per cent of Australia's agrifood exports. Based on the value of agricultural exports, Asia accounts for over 70 per cent of our beef exports, sugar exports and dairy exports. The past decade has seen a shift in the export share. (Time expired)