Vaile Announces New Free Trade Agreement Export Advisory Panel

Trade Minister Mark Vaile today announced the formation of a new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Export Advisory Panel to provide a forum for ongoing consultation between business and the Government on Australia's current free trade agreements.

Mr Vaile said the establishment of the FTA Export Advisory Panel Government, a key election commitment, would allow industries to have their voices heard on how Australia can gain full access to the opportunities presented by our free trade agreements.

"The FTA Export Advisory Panel will include senior representatives from a range of industry groups and be chaired by Mr Ross Adler AO, who is also Chairman of the Government's export facilitation agency, Austrade. There will also be opportunities for the Panel to include input from a broad cross-section of specialists, business organisations and community groups," he said.

"The Panel will be an effective way to gather useful feedback on the practical operation of our free trade agreements and their impact on businesses.

"It will provide advice on strategies to promote the benefits of our FTAs, on implementation and market access issues, and help identify specific industry opportunities created by the agreements.

"This advice will help the Government ensure that its programs and activities are effectively targeted to helping businesses maximise the benefits flowing to Australia from our free trade agreements."

The members of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Export Advisory Panel will include:

Mr Ross Adler AO, Chairman, Austrade (Panel Chair)
Mr Ben Fargher, CEO, National Farmers Federation
Mr Peter Hendy, CEO, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Ms Heather Ridout, CEO, Australian Industry Group
Ms Katie Lahey, CEO, Business Council of Australia
Mr Peter Sturrock, CEO, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries
Mr Mitchell Hooke, CEO, Minerals Council of Australia
Mr Matt Hingerty, Managing Director, Australian Tourist Export Council
Mr Peter O'Byrne, Managing Director, Austrade
A senior representative of DFAT
A senior representative of DITR

Australia has free trade agreements with the US, Singapore, Thailand and New Zealand

Contacts: Richard Forbes (Minister Vaile) 02 6277 7420 - Gregory Harvey (Austrade) 02 9390 2703