QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator CANAVAN (Queensland—Leader of the Nationals) (14:40): My question is to the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Farrell. Minister, the Australia and Europe free trade agreement has been labelled by farmers and industry groups as 'pretty embarrassing', 'disappointing', 'pathetic', 'unfair', 'simply appalling', 'a kick in the guts' and 'a horrendous outcome'.

The National Farmers' Federation claims that the deal will allow heavily subsidised European imports to flood the local market and undercut domestic production while not offering meaningful agricultural market access gains since Australia last walked away from negotiations. Three years ago, when walking away, you said that no deal was better than any deal. Minister, if you could not get a better deal than the one you rejected three years ago, how can farmers trust you to get a better deal in five years?