Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell: Good morning and thank you to coming along. It's magnificent in Adelaide today. It's not too hot, not too cold, and so it's just right and great to be in this warehouse. When I'm living in town, I live two streets away, so it was a very easy spot to find. I'm here with some very good friends. Firstly, the Trade Minister for South Australia, Joe Szakacs. I find him to be the best state trade minister in the country. We have worked very closely over the last four years to restore $20 billion worth of trade with China. More importantly, to establish a whole range of new trade agreements right around the world. I'm very pleased to see that Joe is taking full advantage of these new trade agreements. We're also here with Paul and Pauly, who are going to speak to you in a moment about some of the areas that we are dealing with - trying to diversify our trading relationship.
We are in an age of uncertainty right now in terms of trade. Things are very much up in the air. So, my job as Australia's Trade Minister is to firstly, ensure that all of the trade agreements that we have agreed to are implemented fully. But secondly, and perhaps more importantly, is to find new partners for trade agreements. We've got 19 free trade agreements that cover almost 80 per cent of the world. But we think we can do more and we think we can do better. Australia produces wonderful food, wonderful wine, like the wine in this warehouse right now. And we have to let the rest of the world know the great quality of Australian food and wine.
Last year, of course, the United States announced Liberation Day and imposed a range of tariffs on products not only in Australia, but around the world. One of our responses to that was to a $50 million fund that would assist companies to find new markets and expand existing markets. And today that network, which includes 40 peak Australian bodies, will be launched and we will start the process of finding new and diversified markets for our wonderful food and wine. One of those products, of course, is going to be Munda Wines. Munda Wines won the inaugural Export Award for First Nations produced wine in Australia, and of course, it'll be one of the products that we will be selling to the world. Interestingly, in our new trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates, we have a First Nations clause which promotes First Nations products to the rest of the world.
So, it's with great pleasure that I'm able to launch membership of the Trade Diversification Network. It's a sign of the Albanese Labor government's commitment to expanding our trade relationship. We're a free trading nation. We have benefited greatly over our ability to sell our products to the rest of the world. But we can do more.
As Trade Minister, I see my role as pushing companies out the door and into the rest of the world. Why do we do that? Well, we know that if you're a company that's outwardly facing, your profits are likely to be higher, but more importantly, the wages of your employees are likely to be higher. So, this is a good news story for Australia.
We are determined to let the rest of the world know just how good our food and wine is. And we're committed to supporting all of those companies that are prepared to take a chance, put their product out to the rest of the world, and show the rest of the world just how fantastic our products are. Now, we've got two Pauls here, Paul and Pauly. Which of the Pauls would like to go next?
Paul Sanda, Supply Nation: Thank you very much for joining us this morning. Thank you, Minister. Thank you Pauly, for being here. I represent Supply Nation. Supply Nation was founded in 2009 on a principle based on supplier diversity. Being diversity in supply chains means value to business and it also mitigates against risk. Supply Nation was also founded on the principle that we support and grow the Indigenous business sector. So, we now have over 6,000 verified Indigenous businesses on the national database covering all sectors of the economy, from cyber security, construction, facilities management, obviously great winemakers as well. You name the sector of the economy and there will be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander entrepreneur making a go of it.
Additionally, we have 850 corporate, government and non-profit members that are committed to supporting those businesses and the principle of reconciliation through business growth. We're very, very pleased and excited to be part of the Network just announced by the Minister. That means that we, through our international programs, will be able to add value to our businesses, add insight and information that will help them internationalise their business growth.
It's exciting and we are seeing more and more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses making the effort to internationalise, to look for collaboration overseas, and particularly to work with other First Nations organisations in Canada, the United States, and New Zealand, for example. But we also have projects that will target projects in ASEAN and also in the Middle East, which complements the work of agencies such as DFAT and Austrade. That's enough from me and I'll hand over to my colleague Pauly to talk about the work that he's doing in his business. Thank you.
Pauly Vandenbergh, Munda Wines: I won't be too long. Pauly Vandenbergh, founder of Munda Wines. We were founded in 2020, with the hopes and dreams of creating exceptional and beautiful wines from our regions here in South Australia particularly, but also an opportunity to highlight and talk about the First Nations and their traditional owners of where the grapes. Which we thought was a really important step for the wine industry. It's great to be here at Negociants and their warehouse, who are our distributor and been an amazing support for us at Munda Wines.
But I do want to acknowledge Minister Farrell and Minister Szakacs, particularly Minister Szakacs from the state level, who's been such a big advocate and such supporter of many First Nations businesses here in South Australia, but particularly Munda Wines, helping us get into the export market. It's been a real challenge for us, but we're certainly really grateful for the support that we get from Austrade and the Minister for what they've been able to do for us for Munda.
Then having a partner like Negociants we think is the best distributor in the world. But to be here with them in our warehouse, seeing our wines here, is always really exciting for us at Munda Wines. But we're certainly really excited about this new program that Minister Farrell is launching. And hopefully we can get some opportunities to get Munda Wines into more hands in the international market and to tell more stories about, I guess, 65,000 years of culture and heritage here in South Australia. So, we're really excited about the opportunities that we have from a domestic point of view, but particularly international, is really exciting for us. So thank you for that.
Joe Szakacs, SA Minister for Trade & Investment: Thank you. Thank you, everybody. We are incredibly grateful for Minister Farrell's leadership in respect to our nation's trading agenda. The Albanese Government is a breath of fresh air when it comes to dealing and engaging with markets overseas. Trade matters for South Australians because there are over 200,000 South Australians who work in jobs today because their businesses and companies that export. Those jobs are more secure, they're better paid, the businesses that they work for are more resilient. And frankly, it helps South Australia tell our unique story around the world. In just the last 18 months, over 500 South Australian businesses have been supported by the South Australian government to do exactly that. Tell our unique story overseas, developing new markets, growing markets, and we've seen with over $17 billion worth of South Australian goods exported to the world in the last 12 months how that pays off. Because if we're not telling our story around the world, then nobody is. And as Pauly mentioned, our story is one that is like nothing else in anywhere on the planet. 65,000 years ago, our story started and today we continue to make and tell our story.
Whether it's from wine to our renewable energy exports, to advanced manufacturing, or feeding the world as they continue to grow in our own region of ASEAN, South Australia is the best placed jurisdiction to do that. When it comes to wine, there is no doubt about it that part of the South Australian DNA is wine. And it's been a pretty tough market around the world. We're seeing consumption generally decrease, not just here domestically, but also around the world. And even though through the extraordinary hard work of the Commonwealth government, we've seen China return, it still is challenging. And the global trading market and economic environment is probably as complex as it ever has been. But with this really significant investment from the Commonwealth government that we are matching by our own contribution; $5 million in our state budget this year to support these endeavours, South Australia will be better placed to be exporting to more places, to more important places. And in this really complex global trading environment, we will keep our market share where tariffs and other disruptions may be challenging the global order. So, thank you Minister Farrell, thank you to the Prime Minister and we are very happy to support this initiative.
Journalist: Some questions for yourself, Minister Farrell, just on the topic of Kevin Rudd stepping down as US Ambassador one year before his scheduled departure, did that surprise you?
Minister Farrell: Look, Kevin has been a terrific representative for Australia in the United States. He's covered two administrations, the Biden administration and of course, more recently, the Trump administration. In that time, I think he's provided a terrific representation for Australia, particularly for South Australia. He's been very focused on AUKUS, and that's most important for South Australia, got some very key legislation through the American parliament that's going to facilitate AUKUS. He represented Australia's interests in terms of the tariff issues. And of course, recently we know that the tariff on Australian beef was removed by the Trump administration, a very good result for Australia. So, I think he's been a terrific representative. I wish him well in his new role, or his old role, with the Asia Society and wish him and his family all the very best for the future.
Journalist: Given your role, would you have you put your hand up for the job?
Minister Farrell: I'm very happy as Australia's Trade Minister. It's a really important job right now. As I said before, we're in an age of uncertainty. We've been able to achieve record trade over the last 12 months, but I think we can do even more, and I'd like to be part of that process.
Journalist. So, who would your pick be for Ambassador to the US?
Minister Farrell: Look, this is entirely an issue for the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, but whoever they pick, I'm sure will be a terrific representative for Australia.
Journalist: There was, of course, that awkward exchange between Mr. Rudd and Donald Trump. To what extent do you think that interaction influenced his decision to step down early?
Minister Farrell: Look, I wouldn't have thought that had any impact or influence on former Prime Minister Rudd's decision. I think he's obviously made a decision. Typically, ambassadors are there for three years and so he's pretty much at the end of that three-year period. So, I don't think there's any surprises there that he's made a decision to change course, and I wish him all the very best.
Journalist: On the topic of tariffs, Donald Trump says any country doing business with Iran will face a 25 per cent tariff on all business with the US. Do you think this will have impacts for Australia?
Minister Farrell: Look, I think we need to have a look at that. That's a very recent announcement and I think we need to get more detail about what it is that the President is talking about there.
Journalist: What kind of business do we do with Iran as a country?
Minister Farrell: Well, everything we do complies with all of the international obligations. But, but it's things like wheat and beef and those sorts of things.
Journalist: Just on the topic about Adelaide Writers' Week, there's obviously been the decision for Dr. Abdel-Fattah to not be invited to speak at that festival. Do you support the decision that the board has made in not inviting her?
Minister Farrell: Look, this is a state decision and of course we've got Minister Szakacs here from the state. But I understand the decision that's been made. It is a decision of the board and I support the decision.
Journalist: A large number of writers have pulled out now. Do you think that the event still has a future?
Minister Farrell: Look, I would hope so. The event has been a very successful part of the festival. We are the festival state here in South Australia and I would hope that there wouldn't be any long-term impact on the festival.
Journalist: The Pax Silica cooperation that the White House has announced with some of its key allies, is that something you've considered to have Australia join?
Minister Farrell: We're going to have a look at that, and I'll give you a more formal response when we know a little bit more about it.
Journalist. So, you don't know much about it yet?
Minister Farrell: No.
Journalist: No communication from the White House?
Journalist: Actually, sorry, just one more from Tassie. A complaint was made to the Tassie Labor Party about Rebecca White and two state MPs loudly playing Shoot, Shag, Marry about Liberal members of Parliament at that public event. Is that appropriate behaviour for a Federal Assistant Minister?
Minister Farrell: Look, I think the Minister involved has recognised that she made an error there. It was a private conversation. Again, I understand she's apologised to the people involved and that apology has been accepted. Thanks, everybody.
Journalist: Question for Joe. Can you indulge me?
Joe Szakacs: I just want to talk about Mr. Rudd. The Minister spoke about how important Ambassador Rudd has been to South Australia's interests. He was instrumental in and remains instrumental in the really important work that South Australia is doing in respect to building up our workforce capacity for AUKUS. You know, AUKUS is such a nationally important endeavour, but the reason it's so important for South Australia is that this is thousands and thousands of new jobs for young South Australians. And Ambassador Rudd, my engagement personally with him, has been incredibly passionate about South Australia. Seeing our prosperity increase as a result of the AUKUS project and as he transitions into this important work into Asia, can also say how disproportionately important Asia is for South Australia. The ASEAN region is about three times more important to South Australia than it is to Australia. China remains our largest trading partner. So, South Australia and I, as a Trade Minister, look forward to working into the future with Ambassador Rudd in the important work that we're doing in Asia.
Journalist: Yeah, I mean, it's an election year. There's really an election around the corner. Is there anything trade wise you're hoping to get through before you go into that caretaker period?
Joe Szakacs: So, our work continues. There is frankly no day that isn't a day where we need to continue to advance South Australia's interest in respect to trade and also investment attraction. Recently I was in Canada, our largest source of foreign direct investment, meeting with the owners of that capital. We need that capital to trust South Australia. They need to see South Australia as a place to invest and do business. And that's exactly my work and advocacy that I make. But moving into the election. Look, frankly, when it comes to trade, no matter which side of the political equation you're on, I'd be shocked if you didn't support selling more of South Australia's premium products around the world. We've already invested significant amounts of money in this year's budget into supporting those endeavours. And you know what comes in the next sort of 65 days, I'll let you see.
Journalist: Thank you.