Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

They create the opportunity for Australia's businesses and exporters to land their goods, their services and their products in markets at a more competitive rate than their competitors. That is the key thing here: to be able to get into the market with the least amount of cost impost or barriers for those exporters. That's why we continue to pursue new market opportunities. That's what we'll be doing in the negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement. It's what we'll be doing in our negotiations with the European Union.

I do warmly welcome the statement of the incoming President of the European Commission, who, in her policy agenda, has stated very clearly the priority that the EC places on quickly finalising an agreement with Australia. We stand ready, willing and able to negotiate quickly and to finalise an ambitious and comprehensive agreement with the European Union, as we do with the UK, should circumstances allow, and our regional trading partners—all of it to keep creating more job opportunities for Australians.