Interview with Sally Sara, ABC AM

E&OE TRANSCRIPT
RADIO INTERVIEW
ABC AM 
FRIDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2024

Subject: China-Australia trade.

HOST, SALLY SARA: Julie Collins is the federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. I spoke to her a short time ago. How would you describe the trade relationship currently between Australia and China?

JULIE COLLINS, MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FORESTRY: We've been working very hard to stabilise our bilateral relationship with China. I think what this shows is that we have worked carefully, cautiously and consistently to repair relationships with China. We started with a $20 billion impediment. Last financial year, we had around $170 billion worth of trade with China. So, we have been working consistently and calmly to repair that relationship.

SARA: Producers of other products that have been allowed back into China, hasn't always been smooth sailing. There have been some challenges there. How aware are you of that and what sort of support will be offered to the lobster producers?

COLLINS: Yeah, we will be working with the lobster producers. We already had a meeting with them yesterday about the timetable that has been agreed to and how we go through that. What we want to do is make sure that it's a smooth transition, and work with the industry and the sector to make sure that we're doing everything we can do as a government to smooth the way.

SARA: Is China a trusted partner now, do you think?

COLLINS: Well, we're very pleased to be able to get our live rock lobster into the Chinese market before the end of the year, and indeed the Chinese New Year. We've had return of a whole range of products in terms of our trade with China. As Minister for Agriculture, I'm very pleased with the success of our agricultural exports to China, and around the world.

SARA: Were the trade restrictions on rock lobster, were they ever justified, in your view?

COLLINS: Look, we've been working with our Chinese partners, as I've said, slowly removing some of the trade impediments. I think what we've seen is great success by working calmly, cautiously and carefully with the Chinese government and making sure that as a government we're doing everything we can to get our products back into China.

SARA: How does the government see the relationship overall? We've got trade issues such as this, but we've also had issues with defence and the release of chaff in front of an Australian aircraft. How much is Australia willing to put up with?

COLLINS: Look, it's in the interest of both of our countries to make sure that we continue to stabilise our relationship. This resumption in trade for Australian agriculture products and commodities is an important part. It helps us having dialogue to navigate our differences and build where we can cooperate without compromising any Australian interests. And we've been pretty clear about that.

SARA: What's your message to the industry?

COLLINS: My message to the industry is we'll continue to work with you. We want to make sure that this transition is as smooth as possible as a government. We've been working very closely with Chinese counterparts to make sure that we make it as smooth as possible.

SARA: How much damage has been done to the industry during this period in which it's been effectively locked out of the Chinese market, given the market was so dominant for our producers?

COLLINS: Yes, certainly in my discussions with our producers in Australia, they have been having a tough time. This news will certainly be welcomed by the producers. The Minister for Trade and I had a meeting with them just a few weeks ago about how things were travelling in the industry and the sector, and I think that this news will be very welcome indeed.

SARA: That's Julie Collins there, the federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.