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

I thank Senator Antic for his question and congratulate him on his first question to the chamber. I welcome him to the Senate and note that, perhaps, unlike some others, Senator Antic is happy to come into this question time and ask questions about policies and about issues that matter to Australians in terms of job creation for Australians, in terms of business growth for Australians and in terms of the types of opportunities that are important to keeping our economy strong and to keeping Australians safe and secure economically. Indeed, the trade policies of this government have been central to providing those types of enhanced opportunities to Australians right around the country, especially in our home state of South Australia. It is wonderful, as always, to have a new Liberal senator here from the state of South Australia.

Our trade policies have seen successive agreements sealed and delivered. They stand in stark contrast to the record of those opposite, who were unable to commence and conclude trade agreements when they were in office. Our government has been able to get on with it: agreements with China, with Japan, with Korea and with the 10 economies of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Indeed, there was our pursuit of the PACER Plus Agreement and our agreements with Indonesia, with Peru and with Hong Kong. All of these agreements have enhanced the opportunity for Australia's businesses to be able to export more, to be able to grow and, ultimately, to be able to contribute to the record levels of jobs growth that we've seen in Australia.

It is no coincidence that the trade growth and the expanded market access that the Liberal-National government has delivered for Australia's farmers and Australia's businesses has helped to fuel an increase in the number of businesses who export, an increase in the volume of exports, an increase in the value of exports from Australia and, ultimately, more job opportunities for Australians. It's those job opportunities that are central, and that's why we are going to continue to work to expand those opportunities for Australia's exporters.