Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

My mum used to say self-praise was no recommendation. I thank Senator Stewart for her question. I know just how important trade is to the great state of Victoria. Yesterday we witnessed a historic moment in our bilateral relationship with China when Prime Minister Albanese met with President Xi. This visit to China marked the 50th anniversary of Gough Whitlam's first visit to China. Positive, constructive dialogue is a win-win for both our economies. It delivers practical benefits for Australian exporters, businesses and workers. By having a more stable relationship with China, we've seen the return of so many wonderful Australian products to a market of 1.4 billion consumers.

Since coming to government, we've faced an incredible $20 billion worth of trade impediments on Australian exporters, but in the last 18 months we have made enormous progress. Between January and August of this year, Australia exported to China $6 billion worth of products that were previously subject to trade impediments. That is $6 billion worth of high-quality Australian product that has now re-entered Chinese markets due to the stabilisation efforts of our government.

Yes, and Murray was helping too—don't you worry. It's a team effort—team Australia! We know that the barley farmers, the miners, the forestry workers, the hay producers—even the fruit pickers of this country in South Australia—are benefiting from the stabilising of our trading relationship with China. We are advocating for removal of all remaining trade impediments so that our wine growers and our meat producers can— (Time expired)