Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I am pleased to inform the Senate that this government's policies are underpinning the capacity of the Australian beef industry to reach its full potential. This is an $8.5 billion industry, and the contribution it makes to the national economy is truly fundamental to the prosperity of our nation. Since coming to office, we have negotiated extremely favourable free trade agreements with Korea, Japan and China. We have opened six new markets for our live animal exports, and there will be more to come. This is good news for producers. Mr President, with confidence I can assure the Senate that this government will have a further substantial policy contribution, both to the beef industry and to agriculture more broadly, with the implementation and release of the agricultural competitiveness white paper.