Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

This year, farmgate prices and farmgate production are set to reach an all-time high of $66.3 billion. Of that, $47 billion will be generated because of exporting of our fantastic primary produce. We know that we grow amazing food, but 80 million people, not just here in Australia but around the world, are fed by Australian producers, 1.6 million people in Australia are employed by the agricultural sector through its supply chain and more than 334,000 Australians are employed directly in our agricultural sector. This is fantastic news for the whole of Australia but most particularly for the regional areas that support our agricultural sector. We know our primary producers are absolutely first-class. They're innovative, they're forward thinking and they're always prepared to have a go. This free trade agreement will help them be able to help themselves to support Australia.