Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Farrell. Stabilising our relationship with China is vitally important for Australia and important for Australian exporting businesses and workers. After all, China is our largest trading partner. Yesterday the Prime Minister met with China's President Xi in Beijing to continue stabilising our relationship and continue advocating for removal of the outstanding trade impediments affecting high-quality Australian products. How are the government's efforts to stabilise our trade relationship with China delivering practical outcomes for Australian exporters, producers and workers?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Tell us, Don, about your great work.

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

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

Senator Stewart, first supplementary?

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for that comprehensive answer. How is the government helping Australian exporters diversify their trade to ensure we remain economically resilient in the years ahead?

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

I thank Senator Stewart for her first supplementary question. Our government knows that, on the one hand, we need to stabilise our trading relationship with China but, on the other hand, we actively support Australian exporters diversifying their trade and supply chains, because, over the last few years, we've seen the perils of having all of your eggs in the one basket. That is why, next week, the Prime Minister and I will travel to the United States for key—

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Another one?

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

Yes, another one. We're continuing to deliver, Senator McKenzie, through the annual APEC meetings as well as by representing Australia in negotiations on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. These important trade meetings will help diversify our supply chains with many of the trading partners, making us more economically resilient to future shocks of the global economy.

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

Senator Stewart, your second supplementary?

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We all know how much we love creating jobs on this side of the parliament, so, Minister, how does more trade help create Australian jobs and help reduce the costs of living for everyday Australians?

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

(—) (): I thank Senator Stewart for her second supplementary question. Of course, we've had record first-term-of-government growth in jobs, almost the equivalent of six MCG stadiums. Australia is economically stronger when global trade flows freely. We know that one in four Australian jobs relate to trade, and jobs in export industries pay five per cent higher wages on average. In addition, we know that trade creates a competitive environment, lowering prices and helping reduce the costs of living for everyday Australians, which is why we've worked so hard in the last year to deliver opportunities that advance our trade agenda by implementing trade agreements with India and the United Kingdom—something that the previous government, of course, couldn't do. This government is ensuring that trade— (Time expired)