Aussie farmers will be winners in new trade deal
Australian farmers could benefit most from a landmark free trade deal signed with Indonesia.
The agreement says more than 99 per cent of Aussie goods will be sent duty-free or will be subject to much better arrangements than those currently in place.
General Manager of Trade for the National Farmers Federation Dr Pru Gordon tells Ben Fordham it will give farmers “more certainty and better access to the Indonesian market.”
“It’s a commitment Indonesia made to us and we’ve made to Indonesia to keep open these markets.”
Dr Gordon says the agreement still needs to be ratified by both countries.
“There’s still a lot of questions about whether members of our parliament will agree to ratify this agreement.”
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Trade Minister Simon Birmingham signed the agreement and tells John Stanley he’s “committed to try see it achieved by the end of this year.”
“It is, of course, of critical importance in terms of our strategic relation with Indonesia,” he says.
“I’d hope that this agreement ultimately enjoys bipartisan support.”
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Cattle Council CEO Margo Andrae tells John Stanley she’s “very excited” about the deal and hopes parliament will ratify it.
“Please don’t make it an election ping pong,” she says.
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