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

I thank Senator Sterle for his question. I know that he understands just how important trade is to the great state of Western Australia.

The Albanese Labor government has committed to building strong economic ties with our trading partners to deliver practical outcomes for Australia's exporters and to create more well-paying jobs for Australians. That's why earlier this month the Prime Minister and I travelled to San Francisco to attend APEC meetings. APEC has long been at the forefront of pushing the trade liberalisation agenda. This year's APEC priorities included advancing the digital trade agenda; ensuring inclusivity and sustainability; and mainstream intertrade and investment policies. While in San Francisco and Shanghai, I met with the Chinese Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao. Engagement with China has proven effective—just ask any Australian exporter of coal, cotton, copper, concentrates, timber, logs, oats, hay, barley or stone fruits. Think of all the jobs created as a result of the considered approach the Albanese government has taken to restoring market access for these products.

A ministerial meeting also took place in San Francisco to advance the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework negotiations. IPEF, as it's known, is designed to promote workers' rights; to lift and align trading standards; to build supply chain resilience; and to promote clean energy investment so that trade flows more freely and more fairly in the Indo-Pacific region—our region. More trade, not less, means more well-paying jobs, more national income and, of course, more opportunities for businesses and for workers.