Rex Patrick (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, Senator Ruston. South Australia produces half of Australia's wine, and 80 per cent of our wine is exported. Exports to China have reached $1.2 billion annually. What is the government's estimate of the prospective losses to the Australian wine industry, and specifically to South Australia, as a result of China's punitive tariff decision and the effective exclusion of Australian wine from the Chinese market? How much damage will China's tariff do? What is the likely time frame for any Australian complaint to the World Trade Organization about China's outrageous actions? Is it not the case that the WTO's dispute resolution process could take well over a year and likely much longer?