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

Given the scale of new opportunity created with Indonesia as a large and, we trust, still fast-growing economy once it recovers from the challenges of COVID-19, there has been very warm reaction from Australian farming and other industry representatives. The chairman of GrainGrowers said that access to this new feed grain market is great news and the timing could not be better. We have safe nutritious grains for Australians as well for our closest neighbours.

AUSVEG's national manager of export development said that this should lead to an immediate increase of over 300 per cent in current trade values of current fresh vegetables to Indonesia. The National Farmers Federation said that the entry into force of IA-CEPA provides some much-needed perspective for Australia's farmers, encouraging us to look beyond the present hardships of drought, bushfire and coronavirus to the bright future ahead. The Business Council of Australia said that it will help open new markets, create new jobs and build a stronger recovery for both nations, and that is certainly the government's aspiration to see that strengthened. (Time expired)