Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, the senator is quite right to concentrate on issues Tasmanian, but there are also other advantages that flow to the rest of the nation. The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement is unequivocally good news for all Tasmanians, especially job seekers and small and big employers in Tasmania. And the seafood industries being included in this free trade agreement is genuinely a breakthrough. I know that Senator McKenzie and her coalition Senate colleagues were very anxious to achieve this outcome. I pay particular tribute to Senator Richard Colbeck, who championed this cause within government to ensure this outcome. It is a great outcome, because right around Australia—something that is often forgotten—an estimated 8,500 jobs rely on this sector and they now have— (Time expired)