Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Hansard source

Again I am going to rely on the words of Senator Wong herself to answer the question. Senator Wong made three further points in her speech. Firstly:

Protectionism is a false panacea.

Secondly:

Sitting on the sidelines while other countries negotiate trade agreements is also a false panacea.

Thirdly:

Refusing to enter trade agreements will allow our competitors to gain market share at Australia's expense.

Senator Wong, we on this side could not agree with you more. Labor's scaremongering on behalf of their union bosses is going to destroy job opportunities for Australians. It is time for those opposite to stop standing up and giving speeches behind closed doors in support of free trade, espousing the virtues of free trade and free trade agreements. It is time for those on the other side to put the Australian worker first, support growth and support the chapter. (Time expired)