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

I thank Senator Williams for his question and for his ongoing interest in tourism, trade and investment. During the Prime Minister's first head-of-government visit to Indonesia, he and the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, agreed to revive negotiations for a free trade and investment partnership between our two countries. Now, this is an important priority for both countries, which is why, when Mr Ciobo, in the other place, was appointed Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, his first trip of this parliament was to Indonesia to meet with his Indonesian counterpart.

Australia and Indonesia's trade and investment relationship is underdone, despite us being large G20 economies in close proximity. Australia's two-way trade with Indonesia was valued at $14.8 billion in 2014-15, making it our 12th largest merchandise trade partner. With a growing population of more than 250 million people, Indonesia really is the economic superpower of the ASEAN region, and for us it presents a tremendous opportunity. Examples of this can be seen in the beef sector, as well as in food manufacturing. Our wheat is sent to Indonesia and then turned into noodles and biscuits, which Indonesia exports to nations in the region. It is a great mark of our partnership. Like our landmark agreements with China, Korea and Japan, a bilateral trade agreement with Indonesia would be hugely beneficial to Australia.

I hope on this occasion that the Leader of the Opposition will be more supportive of this agreement than he was when we brought the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement to this parliament. He was left rather isolated on the Labor side of politics. Daniel Andrews, Annastacia Palaszczuk, Jay Weatherill, Andrew Barr, Bob Hawke, Simon Crean, Bob Carr, Luke Foley and Bryan Green all publicly endorsed that agreement, while Mr Shorten was a hold-out. It all goes to show that Mr Shorten needs to become a mature national leader who understands the benefits of trade— (Time expired)