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

The Business Council of Australia says:

With one in five Australian jobs linked to trade, these agreements turn the tyranny of distance into the era of opportunity.

The dairy industry says that the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement will create 600 to 700 jobs in its first year alone. And other industries, such as beef, horticulture, wine and so on, will see strong jobs growth.

The Financial Services Council says the agreement will result in the creation of 10,000 new jobs. The natural health supplements company, Blackmores, has already hired an additional 100 people to help deal with the increasing demand out of Asia. They are expecting continued strong growth because of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

The Seafood Trade Advisory Group says that the agreement gives the industry the confidence it needs, saying that the agreement's benefits will accrue to Australia's regional and coastal communities with an estimated 8½ thousand jobs. (Time expired)