Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

I agree with Senator Bushby—and Senator Sinodinos: it is better. That is a very good start. With ChAFTA, Australia has now concluded 10 FTAs with trading partners which cover 70 per cent of our goods and services exports. Seven of those 10 FTAs were reached under coalition governments, and two of the three FTAs achieved by Labor were begun by coalition governments. That track record stands in very stark contrast to that of Labor, who in many places appear to be backing a very, very dishonest trade union campaign which is trying to just rip away the opportunities of the China FTA. Labor's trade spokesperson should cease what is essentially fearmongering and support this agreement so that the major benefits can begin to flow to all Australians. They should listen to their former leaders, their betters and their elders, such as Simon Crean, Craig Emerson and John Brumby, to name just a few. These Labor figures are highly supportive of this landmark deal, and so should those opposite be.