Trade Policy Review

Australia

Minutes of the Meeting

Chairperson: H.E. Mr Saqer Abdullah ALMOQBEL

CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON.. 2

2 OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF australia. 4

3 STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT. 8

4 STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS. 11

5 REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF australia AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS. 68

6 CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON.. 76

Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies provided by Australia are reproduced in document _WT/TPR/M/468/Add.1 and will be available online at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm.

1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON

1.1.  The ninth Trade Policy Review of Australia was held on 12 and 14 March 2025. The Chairperson, H.E. Mr Saqer Abdullah ALMOQBEL (Saudi Arabia), welcomed the delegation of Australia, headed by Mr Paul Wojciechowski, Acting First Assistant Secretary, Office of Global Trade Negotiations, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; the rest of the delegation who joined virtually from the capital; and the discussant, H.E. Mrs Pimchanok PITFIELD (Thailand).

1.2.  The Chairperson was pleased that, in addition to physical presence, the meeting also benefited from the Interprefy online connection, allowing for a wider participation of the Membership.

1.3.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of TPRs and the main elements of procedures for the meeting. The Report by Australia is contained in document _WT/TPR/G/468, and that of the WTO Secretariat in document _WT/TPR/S/468.

1.4.  Questions by the following delegations were submitted in writing before the deadline: Thailand; Singapore; Switzerland; Hong Kong, China; New Zealand; Pakistan; China; Colombia; Brazil; Chile; Ukraine; European Union; Japan; Korea, Republic of; Norway; Philippines; Mexico; Malaysia; Costa Rica; United Kingdom; Israel; United States; Cambodia; Russian Federation; Chinese Taipei; and, Canada. The following delegations submitted written questions after the deadline: Dominican Republic; Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of; Ecuador; Uruguay; Brunei Darussalam; India; Iceland; Türkiye, and Indonesia.

HIGHLIGHT OF KEY ISSUES BY THE CHAIRPERSON

1.5.  Please allow me now to turn to substance – by recalling some elements of Australia's previous Review and developments since then, as well as by identifying some key issues arising from the advance written questions submitted by Members for this TPR.

1.6.  During Australia's previous TPRB meeting in 2020, there was generally wide-spread praise for its continued and sustained economic expansion and prudent macroeconomic policies. This had propelled Australia to nearly three decades of uninterrupted growth. Similar appreciation was voiced in respect of Australia's leadership and the exemplary role it played in the WTO. There was active and constructive participation across nearly all fora including transparency, reform, negotiations, dispute settlement, and new trade issues.

1.7.  Some of the other interests of Members at the time were tariffs, indirect taxation at the border, agriculture, SPS measures, foreign investment, and trade remedies. While agriculture performed quite exceptionally and there were few protections and supports, the role of SPS measures, or biosecurity as it's referred to in Australia, were raised as being more trade restrictive than necessary. A similar situation presented itself with respect to indirect taxes, tariffs, and investment where there was general appreciation for low protection and transparent systems in place, yet some Members had trade issues and noted there was room for improvement.

1.8.  Overall, Members commended Australia for its timely and extensive notifications, additional market liberalization initiatives through plurilateral agreements and free trade agreements, financial contributions or aid to trade activities, and commitment to trade openness.

1.9.  Let me now focus on developments since the last Review of Australia. There have been many elements that have remained the same or similar, which have proven to be a solid base for Australia's continued growth and development, both for the economy and trade. For example, the agricultural sector, while weathering some unfavourable climate conditions in the interim, has rebounded more recently and has contributed substantially to Australia's export earnings. Also in the raw materials area, the mining and extraction sectors have continued with steady output and increased earnings in part due to high commodity prices in world markets, like agriculture.

1.10.  While cognizant of traditional sectors, Australia has made many inroads in new areas and sectors during the review period. New environmental rules or norms have in large part been driven by its commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Some of the developments include a Carbon Leakage Review, development of green hydrogen, CO₂ emissions targets for certain sectors, and a Guarantee of Origin scheme. Furthermore, the move into digital initiatives and digital trade has also propelled a number of new policies and strategies.

1.11.  Australia's continued commitment to openness and free trade has been demonstrated with new free trade agreements and frameworks, autonomous tariff liberalization initiatives, and facilitated or simplified customs procedures over the review period. On the other hand, some developments such as increased FDI screenings, a declining productivity growth rate, further concentration in export markets, and also a high concentration of firms in certain output sectors may raise some worrying trends where prudent policy intervention may be necessary.

1.12.  In their advance written questions, Members raised a wide range of issues based on their interests or systemic WTO matters. Some of the issues raised were new initiatives for SMEs, First Nations, and women; impact of new regional trade agreements; harmonization of TBT and SPS measures with international standards; incentives or supports to the fossil fuel sector; and new or revised strategies, laws, and initiatives in the maritime transport sector.

1.13.  In total, Australia received over 600 advance written questions from 35 delegations for this Review, out of which 440 questions from 26 delegations were sent within the established deadline. Prior to this meeting, Australia already provided written replies to all questions submitted within the established deadline. Any follow-up questions must be answered within 30 days from Friday.

1.14.  The meeting will be a good opportunity for Members to discuss in greater detail issues of interest to them and of systemic importance to the multilateral trading system. I look forward to a fruitful exchange.