Labor’s Trade spokesman, Dr Stephen Martin, has used today’s ABS
March quarter International Merchandise Trade figures to launch
a less than blistering attack on the Liberal-National Government’s
trade record, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said today.
“Dr Martin has conveniently overlooked the fact that our merchandise
exports exceeded merchandise imports by $A197 million for the March
quarter,” Mr Vaile said.
“He also failed to mention Australia’s trading position with three
of our top four trading partners – Japan, Korea and China – improved
in the last quarter, with trade balances rising in our favour -with
Japan some 14 per cent, Korea 12 per cent, and China 5 per cent.
“Australian exports continue to perform strongly in the global
marketplace, despite a global economic downturn, yet Dr Martin cannot
find his way clear to acknowledge Australian exporters. This is
a point not lost on the Australian public.”
“Where was Labor when the Liberal-National Government recorded
nine consecutive monthly trade surpluses in 2001, Australia’s longest
run of trade surpluses since 1973?
Mr Vaile said the Liberal-National Government is determined to
deliver active, practical, results focused trade policy to open
up new opportunities for our exporters.
“The Office of Trade Negotiations within the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade is a key element in support of our ambitious and
aggressive trade agenda. Its sole aim is to open markets and wins
trade disputes on behalf of Australian exporters.
“OTN comprises 72 dedicated trade negotiators; some 60 per cent
more staff than were devoted to trade issues at the end of the last
round of trade negotiations in 1993.”
In this years Federal budget the Government announced that it will
commit $1.6 million over four years to increase the minimum grant
under the Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) scheme from $2,500
to $5,000.
“EMDG provides assistance to small and medium Australian-based
companies trying to break into export markets and has a long history
of delivering assistance to Australian companies.
“An additional 250 small businesses each year will benefit from
this decision. Last financial year more than 2,900 businesses received
an average EMDG grant of $46,000 and 25 per cent of this money found
its way into rural and regional Australia. Interestingly some two-thirds
of those businesses had annual turnovers of less than $A5 million.
“The Liberal-National Government is committed to doubling the number
of exporters by 2006 and the expansion of DFAT’s Office of Trade
Negotiations and the EMDG budget announcement will play an important
role in helping small businesses break into exporting for the first
time,” he said.
Media Contact: Mark Croxford 6277 742
