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

Let me say very clearly that I have the utmost admiration and respect for Trade Minister Robb and the extraordinary work he is doing on behalf of this government. The whole process of the development of the ChAFTA was a process of actively seeking stakeholder views and considering those throughout the negotiations. Those stakeholder consultations actually began in 2004 with a call for public submissions. The department held consultations and discussions with over 700 stakeholders and, following each negotiating round, DFAT contacted stakeholders to update them and seek further views ahead of the next round. The consultations that occurred in Australia and among Australian businesses in China were positive, with the feedback supportive of an FTA with China.

Mr Robb has secured an outstanding agreement that will position Australia for jobs growth in the decades ahead. I have mentioned before the endless list of endorsements and testimonies from Australian businesses and industries, and they are testament to that. (Time expired)