Arthur Sinodinos (NSW, Liberal Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Duniam. Our trade agenda will see those service providers gain greater access in our region very soon. Recently, the Prime Minister and several of my colleagues signed the Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the Prime Minister of Singapore and his ministers. This is the third update for the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement, a broad agreement signed under the Howard government which continues to open further doors to Australian business and workers in one of Asia's most dynamic service markets. That agreement will also lead to significant investment in northern Australia. In North Queensland it will power growth that is defence related as well as other infrastructure related activities.

And we do not stop there. We have the Trade in Services Agreement, another historic negotiation Australia is leading with 50 countries. It will set new standards in trade rules, reduce red tape, increase transparency and certainty for our service exporters and be the most significant upgrade in 20 years. (Time expired)