Making cross-border trade easier for Australian businesses

The Morrison Government is making it easier and cheaper for Australian businesses to import and export goods.

The Government has committed an additional $137.7 million over four years, today in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, to revamp Australia's trade systems by simplifying regulation, reducing duplication, and creating a one-stop digital shop for trade clearances.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said these measures will streamline trade to strengthen economic resilience and bolster Australia's COVID-19 economic comeback.

“The Morrison Government is investing in this microeconomic reform to radically improve the end-to-end trade system for business. The measures target the multiple hurdles businesses face in trading internationally” Minister Tehan said.

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said it was win-win for Australian agricultural producers and exporters with investment to harmonise traceability standards and data, maximising exporters ability to meet market demands and receive premium prices for their quality produce”.

“We are also making it easy for businesses to book biosecurity inspections online and manage changes to these bookings, and progress important improvements to modernise biosecurity systems” Minister Littleproud said. 

Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said Australians could trust the Morrison Government to get the balance right between border enforcement and trade facilitation.

“As we emerge from the pandemic and secure Australia's economic recovery, we are modernising our trade system and enabling businesses to realise new trade opportunities, whilst continuing to protect our borders from illicit narcotics, weapons, and other prohibited imports,” Minister Andrews said.

“We're stepping forward; using new digital technologies to lead the world in the removal of paper documents from the international trading system – making trade faster, more efficient and more secure.”

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ben Morton, said this achievement is an outcome of the Morrison Government's Deregulation Agenda. 

“We're committed to cutting red tape wherever possible – we are boosting productivity and saving time and money,” Minister Morton said.

“The Deregulation Taskforce is working across Government to ensure we eliminate duplication for business, while at the same time, save taxpayer funds.”

These measures support the Government's continued investment in modernising our agriculture export and import systems and processes, and deliver on our commitments to support industry's $100 billion by 2030 and Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030 agenda.

The Simplified Trade System Industry Advisory Council Chair, Mr Paul Little AO, said “the measures demonstrate real commitment to deliver practical changes to help businesses”.

For more information on the Simplified Trade System, visit www.simplifiedtrade.gov.au

ENDS