TV Interview, ABC Afternoon Briefing with Greg Jennett, Shanghai

Greg Jennett, host: Don Farrell, thanks for making this conversation possible from Shanghai. I suppose the very fact that you're there indicates that the resumption of trade relations with China is very much back on track. What additional Australian products and services, though, are you telling the Chinese Commerce Minister that Australia should gain access to now in the Chinese market?

Minister for Trade: Thanks, Greg. I met with my Chinese counterpart last evening on my arrival from Canberra. This was our 9th meeting. And again, we discussed those particular products that are still waiting to get back into the China market. Of course, that's lobster and a couple of meat establishments. I got some assurances from the Minister that everything is on track to resolve all of our outstanding issues. 

Now, having done that, we're not resting on our laurels. I'm here with 253 Australian companies. Some of them have been here before, but many are coming for the first time, and my job as the Trade Minister is to try and push Australian companies out of Australia and into overseas markets. Obviously, China is the largest market for Australian goods. Last year, we sold $327 billion of two-way trade between Australia and China. But I think we can do better than that. I think this Expo - the largest trading event in the world - will be held this week, and I think we can sell even more wonderful Australian products, whether it's food, whether it's wine, whether it's manufactured goods. That's my ambition for this week.

Greg Jennett: It does sound ambitious Don Farrell. Also on the wine front, I understand you've announced the formation of a wine partnership, some sort of training program, I believe. Does that mean that Chinese winemakers will come to Australia to undertake this training?

Minister for Trade: It'll be a mixture of both Greg. I was just with Penfolds. Of course, Penfolds is the biggest Australian winemaker in China. We want to work with the Chinese officials and the Chinese wine industry firstly so that we can get our product back into China, but also so we can help them improve their product. It's a two-way thing. As I said before, China is our largest trading market. We want a prosperous future for our wine industry. Already, almost $500 million worth of Australian wine is back on the supermarket shelves here in China. We want to do better in that, but we also want to work closely to improve the skills and the abilities of Chinese winemakers. And Penfolds Wines are at the forefront of that.

Greg Jennett: Now, the Chinese leadership has made no secret over a very long time now about its desire to increase investment into Australia. I'm wondering in your talks whether Minister Wentao raised this and named any particular sectors for greater Chinese investment.

Minister for Trade: On this occasion, Greg, he didn't raise that with me. But he has raised those issues in the past, and my answer to the Minister is that Australia welcomes foreign investment, and we welcome foreign investment from China. We are agnostic as to where the investments come from. Part of our Future Made in Australia plan will mean that we need investment from overseas. Australia is very well supplied with, for instance, the critical minerals that are needed to move to net zero. What Australia sometimes struggles with is getting the capital to extract those minerals. So we welcome overseas investment, and we process all of those applications for investment on one principle, and that is our national interest, and that's what we'll continue to do Greg.

Greg Jennett: All right. Now, subject to events in the US this week, and I admit here Don, that this is a highly hypothetical question, but if America goes ahead and erects higher tariff walls to Chinese goods entering that country, what do you assess the consequences of that might be for Australia? Could more Chinese manufactured goods enter this country at lower prices?

Minister for Trade: Well, of course, our job, and my job in particular Greg, is to discourage companies from imposing additional trade barriers. Free trade provides peace and prosperity in our region, and my argument to any incoming American government, whether it be a Harris government or a Trump government, is that Australia supports the concept of free trade, and we want to continue to work with countries to ensure that the principles of the World Trade Organisation, the free trade principles, continue to apply to world commerce.

Greg Jennett: Alright, can I tempt you into one or two questions on domestic matters, Don? As Tourism Minister, you'd be well aware of a heightened debate about ministers soliciting upgrades from the national flag carrier, of course, Qantas. If a minister did that, are they in breach of the ministerial code?

Minister for Trade: Look, while I'm up here dealing with trade issues, I think I'll continue to deal with international issues Greg. And I'll be happy to talk about those issues when I get back to Australia.

Greg Jennett: Alright, then. Electoral reform, if I can try you on that one as well. Here goes. There are very high expectations, Don Farrell, that this bill will be introduced into the Parliament in the final sitting fortnight. Can you confirm that and is it your expectation that it should also be passed this calendar year?

Minister for Trade: Both of those things are correct. I'd like to see the legislation brought forward before the end of the year and the legislation in place as quickly as possible.

Greg Jennett: Ok, and will that be introduced into the House or into the Senate, where you're the relevant minister, of course?

Minister for Trade: I'll sort that out when I get back to Australia Greg.

Greg Jennett: Okay. Well, I understand the constraints, some might even say the conventions, in not addressing domestic matters when abroad Don Farrell. So, we'll thank you and wish you prosperous negotiations there in Shanghai. Thanks so much for coming on.

Minister for Trade: Thanks very much Greg.