Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed today’s landmark China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
Mr Chester said he was confident the agreement would add billions to the national economy but more importantly stimulate jobs and economic activity in Gippsland.
“One of the key benefits of the agreement is the abolition of tariffs for Australia’s $13 billion dairy industry which has a major presence in Gippsland,” Mr Chester said.
“Our beef and sheep farmers will also benefit from the abolition of tariffs along with the horticultural sector.
“It is an outstanding agreement and I congratulate the trade minister Andrew Robb on delivering the third major trade agreement in just over 12 months.”
Negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement with China started almost 10 years ago under the previous Howard Government.
Mr Chester said the FTA had been welcomed by the Nationals Farmers’ Federation and Victorian Farmers’ Federation.