❓ Hon Robin Scott questions the McGowan government's preparedness for deteriorating Australia-China relations and WA's over-reliance on trade with China. The government acknowledges the issue and highlights its efforts to diversify trade and support the federal government.
AnsweredQoN 1212Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CHINA
— TRADE RELATIONS
1212. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the Leader of the House representing
the Premier:
I
refer to the escalating trade tensions with China, with direct Chinese actions
coming against Australian industries in coal, wine, barley, cotton, international students, beef, crayfish,
timber and soon to be copper, wool, sugar and others.
(1) Has the McGowan government
planned for a breakdown in Australia–China relations?
(2) Does the
McGowan government concede that when it comes to international trade, WA has
too many eggs in one basket?
The PRESIDENT : Leader of the House, I think
that second part is seeking an opinion.
— TRADE RELATIONS
1212. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the Leader of the House representing
the Premier:
I
refer to the escalating trade tensions with China, with direct Chinese actions
coming against Australian industries in coal, wine, barley, cotton, international students, beef, crayfish,
timber and soon to be copper, wool, sugar and others.
(1) Has the McGowan government
planned for a breakdown in Australia–China relations?
(2) Does the
McGowan government concede that when it comes to international trade, WA has
too many eggs in one basket?
The PRESIDENT : Leader of the House, I think
that second part is seeking an opinion.
AnswerView source ↗
It is indeed seeking an opinion, but I am happy to provide an
answer and to give the member an opinion.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1)–(2)
The Premier has urged the federal government to deal with this issue and
reached out personally to the Prime Minister to offer his help. The state
government maintains strong economic relations with China. The value of Western Australia's
merchandise exports to China in 2019–20 was $98.5 billion, representing 54 per cent of the state's total merchandise exports. China is Western Australia's
largest market for a number of the state's key export commodities,
including iron ore, nickel, copper and lithium. The state government is continuing
to pursue opportunities for Western Australian businesses in a range of markets
globally to support economic growth and create jobs in Western Australia.
answer and to give the member an opinion.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1)–(2)
The Premier has urged the federal government to deal with this issue and
reached out personally to the Prime Minister to offer his help. The state
government maintains strong economic relations with China. The value of Western Australia's
merchandise exports to China in 2019–20 was $98.5 billion, representing 54 per cent of the state's total merchandise exports. China is Western Australia's
largest market for a number of the state's key export commodities,
including iron ore, nickel, copper and lithium. The state government is continuing
to pursue opportunities for Western Australian businesses in a range of markets
globally to support economic growth and create jobs in Western Australia.
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