QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator FARRELL (South Australia—Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) (15:00): I thank Senator Brown for her second supplementary question. The European Union is Australia's fourth-largest investment source, with total direct investment from the EU valued at $132.1 billion in 2024. The trade deal includes investment rules which will provide greater certainty and stability for investment in both directions.

Also, the Australian government has raised its foreign investment screening thresholds for private EU investors, helping cement Australia as an investment destination of choice. This means that EU investors will receive the same treatment provided to other trade partners, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. And, true to our word, there is no investor-state dispute-settlement mechanism in the agreement.

Senator Wong: I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.