Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Farrell. The government is making significant progress to diversify trade opportunities for Australian businesses. Can the minister provide an update on the status of Australia's trade agreements with the United Kingdom and India?

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

I thank Senator Polley once again for her deep interest in this subject area. It is a subject that is so important to her home state of Tasmania.

It's important to say that, after almost a decade of the Liberal government, Australia was more dependent than ever on a single market for our exports. To overcome this predicament the Albanese Labor government is progressing a trade policy agenda that creates opportunities for Australian businesses to gain new market access in major markets. This includes implementing trade agreements with two of our major trading partners: India and the United Kingdom.

The Liberal government dropped the ball by failing to conclude parliamentary processes to implement the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement and the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement. In contrast, this government took an important step yesterday, deepening and diversifying our trading relations with India and the United Kingdom, by passing legislation to implement these trade agreements.

We want to continue to work closely with the United Kingdom and the Indian governments. I've been in contact with both of those governments overnight to ensure that all of the processes that we commenced and completed yesterday—we're just waiting for royal assent—everything we have done on our side to complete these processes, is done on the other side.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Polley, a first supplementary question?

Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A trade agreement with the European Union will further expand opportunities for Australian businesses, including in the agriculture sector. Can the minister provide an update on the progress of the trade negotiations with the EU?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What are you going to do with prosecco, Don?

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

At least I'm prepared to meet with them and discuss issues with them, which you never ever did. I met with them last night.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left! When there is quiet I will ask the minister to continue his answer.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Are you going to go after pizza next?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hume—or Senator Henderson. Sorry, Senator Hume. There's so much noise it's hard to tell. Minister Farrell.

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

President, thank you for that protection. I start by thanking Senator Polley once again for that insightful question. Despite many years of negotiations, the Liberal government failed to land a trade deal with the European Union. Why was that? Why did you fail to land an agreement? Why did New Zealand get ahead of us with a free trade agreement? Because of the former Morrison government's disrespectful approach to a close ally. I'm pleased to say that negotiations are back on track, and discussions have occurred with the wonderful prosecco producers. Both Australia and the EU— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Polley, a second supplementary question?

Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, the World Trade Organization rules underpin global trade and trade agreements. I understand that you met with the WTO director-general yesterday. Can you give the Senate an update on that engagement?

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

I thank Senator Polley once again for her question. Yes, you're right, yesterday I had a great meeting with the director-general. It was a very warm and friendly meeting. Of course, she's a great friend of our former Prime Minister, Prime Minister Gillard. Her visit provided an opportunity to discuss how we can continue to work together to address the challenges facing the multilateral trading system. A key issue discussed was the need to ensure that we have a properly-functioning dispute-settlement system. I also emphasised the importance of addressing trade-distorting agricultural subsidies.

In recognition of the importance of the WTO to Australia's economic resilience, Australia committed $5 million to help developing countries and less-developed countries access to the benefits of WTO membership. (Time expired)