WT/TPR/M/396  
27 May 2020  
(20-3829) Page: 1/53 
Trade Policy Review Body  
11 and 13 March 2020   
 
  
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
AUSTRALIA  
MINUTES OF THE MEETING  
Chairperson: H.E. Mr Manuel A.J. Teehankee (Philippines)  
CONTENTS  
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMA RKS BY THE CHAIRPERS ON ................................ ........................  2 
2  OPENING STATEMENT  BY THE REPRESENTATI VE OF AUSTRALIA  ................................ . 4 
3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT  ................................ ................................ .................  7 
4  STATEMENTS BY MEM BERS  ................................ ................................ ..........................  10 
5  REPLIES BY THE RE PRESENTATIVE OF AUST RALIA AND ADDITIONAL  COMMENTS  .... 46 
6  CONCLUDING REMARK S BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ ..........................  51 
7  ELECTION OF THE N EW CHAIRPERSON OF THE TPRB  ................................ ..................  53 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies provided 
by Australia  are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/ 396/Add.1  and will be available online at 
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTO RY REMARKS BY THE CH AIRPERSON  
1.1.  The eighth  Trade Policy Review of Australia was held on 11 and 13 March 2020. The 
Chairperson, H.E.  Mr. Manuel Teehankee (Philippines), welcomed the delegation of Australia , headed 
by Mr. George Mina, First Assistant Secretary, Office of Trade Negotiations at the Department of 
Foreign Affairs and Trade ; H.E. Ambassador Frances  Lisson , Permanent Representative of Australia 
to the WTO; the rest of the delegation  from Canberra and to other colleagues from the Mission in 
Geneva; and the discussant, H.E. Mr. Julian Braithwaite  (United Kingdom) . 
1.2.  As indicated in document WTO/AIR/TPR/9 4/Add.1, TPRB Members were invited to elect the 
new Chairperson, H.E. Mr. Harald Aspelund (Iceland), on the second day of the meeting. Given that 
Australia's TPRB meeting took place on a virtual basis, the election of the new Chairperson was also 
considered in the same manner.  
1.3.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of TPRs and the main elements of procedures for the 
meeting. The report by Australia was contained in document WT/TPR/G/39 6 and that of the WTO 
Secretariat in document WT/TPR/S/39 6. 
1.4.  Quest ions by the following delegations were submitted in writing before the deadline: Republic 
of Korea; Canada; Israel; Switzerland; Costa Rica; European Union; Hong Kong, China; Chinese 
Taipei; Brazil; Colombia; Argentina; United States; Japan; Dominican Repu blic; Chile; China; 
Mexico; United Kingdom; Ukraine; Singapore; India; and Indonesia . The following delegations 
submitted written questions after the deadline: Russian Federation ; Iceland ; Malaysia ; New Zealand ; 
Peru; Turkey ; Thailand ; Guatemala ; and the Philippines . 
1.5.  At the last Review in 2015, Australia had been  praised for its inter -related trade openness, 
growth and living standards. It had been noted that Australia had experienced more than 20 years 
of uninterrupted growth, due in good part to sound mac roeconomic principles and policies. Australia 
had been congratulated for trade -related reforms in a number of areas. Nevertheless, Australia had 
been facing challenges relating to terms of trade effects, currency appreciation, an ageing population 
and cont inued over -reliance on the mining sector. It had also been noted that , although Australia 
encouraged foreign investment, it was also maintaining restrictions in certain sensitive sectors.  
1.6.  Australia had been commended for its commitment to the rules -based m ultilateral trading 
system and its active engagement in trade and investment liberalization activities within and outside 
of the WTO. Australia's strong WTO notification record had also been highlighted. Noting Australia's 
increasing involvement in RTAs, p articularly with its partners in Asia, some Members had stressed 
the importance of outcomes that would complement and strengthen the multilateral trading system.  
1.7.  Some Members had urged Australia to rethink taxes such as the tax on luxury cars with due 
consideration to the potential negative effect on trade. Ma ny Members had noted that Australia was 
a relatively frequent user of anti -dumping measures, and that it was planning further improvements 
to its legislative framework, inter alia , to address procedural transparency and delays. In reforming 
its biosecurity  system, Australia had been encouraged to simplify it, to align with international 
standards, recommendations and guidelines to the extent possible, and to strike a good balance 
between trade facilitation and import risk management. Members had welcomed Au stralia's intention 
to accede to the revised WTO Government Procurement Agreement and open its procurement 
market further, particularly at the sub -federal level. Recognizing services as the main pillar of the 
Australian economy, several Members had noted p rogress made in this area and had encouraged 
Australia, inter alia , to liberalize maritime cabotage. It was to be interesting to hear from Australia 
what developments ha d taken place since the last Review with respect to some of these issues.  
1.8.  The Secretar iat and the Government reports confirm ed that the economic expansion continued 
during the current review period, although at a more moderate pace recently, as a mining investment 
boom reached its end, and the domestic real estate market softened. The Austr alian Government 
provided economic stimuli in various forms, including lower taxes, higher public consumption, 
increased outlays on research and development, and major investments in infrastructure. 
Nonetheless, the federal budget balance improved and was currently in slight surplus. The economy 
was also aided by interest rate cuts by the central bank – to a new record low of 0.50% as at the 
Tuesday prior to the meeting - and a steady depreciation of the Australian dollar. As a result, per 
capita GDP contin ued to increase in the national  currency, while, measured in US  dollars, it was now WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  around USD 55,000, a significant decline from almost USD 70,000 in 2012/13. All the same, these 
figures indicate d a very comfortable standard of living overall.  
1.9.  Australia's  current account deficit narrowed, in major part because the merchandise trade 
balance ha d been in surplus since 2016/17, while receipts from tourism and education -related 
services ha d also been on the rise. Net flows of foreign investment into Australia a veraged 
AUD 60 billion per year in the period under review, and the stock of FDI now stood  at close to 
AUD 1 trillion. Australia was also an active investor in other countries.  
1.10.   Mineral products still account ed for nearly 60% of Australia's exports, and th e reliance on 
Asian markets continue d to increase, particularly for imports. Asian markets currently absorb ed 
about 84% of Australia's exports. The ongoing trade tensions between some of Australia's main 
trading partners were, no doubt, a matter of concern  to the authorities in Canberra.  
1.11.   With respect to regional trade agreements, important changes took place for Australia in the 
period under review, in particular the entry into force of the Progressive Agreement for Trans -Pacific 
Partnership (CPTPP). Two bi lateral FTAs – with Japan and China – also took effect. Further FTAs had 
been concluded, but were not yet in force, or were under negotiation. About 70% of Australia's two -
way trade was now covered by FTAs, and, according to the Government report, the goal was to 
reach 90% by 2022. This was a massive change for a WTO Member whose share of FTA partners in 
total trade was well under 30% as late as 2013.  
1.12.   Against this background, Australia remain ed fully committed to a strong multilateral trading 
system and was actively engaged in ongoing negotiations to enlarge its scope. Australia's notification 
record was still exemplary. It joined the plurilateral WTO Agreement on Government Procurement 
in 2019 and ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement in 2015. Low MFN tariffs fell further as a 
result of Australia's implementation of the expanded WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) 
and unilateral tariff reductions on textile, clothing and f ootwear items. The maximum MFN rate was 
now 5%, and close to 50% of the tariff lines face d zero import duty on an MFN basis. However, 
these low rates also highlight ed the discrepancy between Australia's present applied and bound 
regime s, including a simple  average bound MFN rate of 9.8% and more than 200  six-digit tariff lines 
that remain ed unbound in full or in part.  
1.13.   Australia received more than 550 adva nce written questions for this R eview. Many of these 
questions touch ed upon important legislative develo pments in the period under review , such as the 
entry into force of the Biosecurity Act of 2015, two basic regulations associated with it, and more 
than 100 additional legal instruments related to biosecurity; changes to Australia's competition 
legislation following the conclusion of the Harper Review in March 2015; new and amended 
legislation on intellectual property; financial services regulations; and amendments to the rules that 
govern anti -dumping and countervailing measures, of which Australia remains a relatively active 
user. 
1.14.   Australia's screening of foreign investment by its Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) 
had also attracted a lot of interest among Members, in particular the application of national interest 
criteria on a case-by-case basis, the application of "appropriate mitigation measures" rather than 
the outright rejection or refusal of investment proposals, and taxation issues.  
1.15.   Other areas of great interest to Members include d: transformation to a digital economy and 
the e -commerce agenda; benefits from trade facilitation; changes to the Goods and Services Tax 
(GST) and other indirect taxes applied at the federal or sub -federal level; export assistance 
programmes, support to manufacturing; standards and technical regulations; a new country o f origin 
labelling system for food products;  objectives and preferences in government procurement; 
concessional loans to the agricultural sector; Australia's gas and electricity markets; and the Tourism 
2030 strategy.  The Chairperson was  sure that these to pics, as well as others, would be touched 
upon in greater detail at Members' deliberations during the two days of the meeting . 
1.16.   The Chairperson closed his introductory remarks by wishing Australia a very successful eight h 
Trade Policy Review.  
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  2  OPENING STATEMENT BY  THE REPRESENTATIVE OF AUSTRALIA ( MR. GEORGE MINA ) 
Introduction  
2.1.  On beha lf of Australia, I welcome our e ighth Trade Policy Review.  
2.2.  Australia has always played a pioneering role in the Trade Policy Review process. Australia 
volunteered to  be the first country to undergo a Review in 1989. We consider it a crucial process for 
ensuring the multilateral trading system’s foundational values of accountability, predictability and 
transparency. In the circumstances we find ourselves in today with concerns about the prevalence 
of coronavirus here in Geneva, we again are playing a pioneering role, by becoming the first country 
to experience what we might term a “virtual TPR”. While our colleagues could not all be here, their 
engagement through the in teractive process leading up to today has been very extensive, and we 
thank them for that high level of engagement. WTO Members posed almost 600 questions to us, 
and we have endeavoured to meet the highest standards of transparency in our responses.  
2.3.  I woul d, of course , wish to extend particular thanks to Ambassador Julian Braithwaite, 
Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, whom we are honoured to have as our discussant. 
I would also like to provide special thanks to the WTO Secretariat for its comp rehensive report on 
our trade and economic policies.  
2.4.  Trade matters to Australia, and that’s why we invest so heavily in the World Trade Organization. 
Australia’s economy is highly integrated with the global economy, particularly the Indo -Pacific 
region. Au stralia’s trade with the world is equivalent to a record 46 per cent of our GDP, compared 
to 40 per cent in 2015, and one in five jobs is now driven by trade.   
Australia’s economic environment  
2.5.  The Secretariat’s report on Australia's trade policies highlights the strength and resilience of 
the Australian economy in the face of transformations in the global economic landscape. In fact, in 
the thirty years since our first Trade Policy R eview, Australia’s open, globaliz ed economy has enjoyed 
29 years of  uninterrupted growth.  
2.6.  This remarkable achievement is due to careful economic policy management and the successful 
fostering of an internationally competitive, outward -looking economy. These efforts have helped 
counter the effects of recent international a nd domestic challenges, including international trade 
tensions and other challenges such as the impact of recent bushfires and the ongoing costs of the 
coronavirus outbreak.  
2.7.  Australia continues to provide the world -class produce, merchandise and tourism ex periences 
we have long been famous for – our recovery is well underway and we are open for business.  
Developments in Australia’s economy  
2.8.  During the period of the review, the Australian economy has continued to internationalize . Our 
exports grew from AUD323  billion in 2015 to AUD437 billion in 2018. The division between our 
services and commodity exports is also blurring. Increasingly services and technology are embedded 
across all of Australia’s export sectors and underpin future growth prospects.  
2.9.  While Au stralia is well known for being among the top 10 agricultural exporters in the world, 
we are also now a world -class provider of professional services, financial services, energy and 
mining -related services, environmental services and financial technology.  
2.10.   Australia’s manufacturing sector is transforming, with our linkages to global value chains 
increasing. High value -added products and related services becoming increasingly embodied in 
activity across the entire economy, including in the resources exporting  sector.  
2.11.   Inward foreign investment is a key driver of Australia’s r economy, and we also have very 
significant stocks of outward foreign investment. Australia’s considerable and diverse resources 
reserves, highly developed skills and technology base, proxi mity to fast -growing markets, and strong 
rule of law make it an attractive destination for foreign investment.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  2.12.   Australia has also sought to strengthen the competitiveness and overall performance of our 
economy through a range of reforms and regulatory chan ges. These include strengthening 
competition and consumer legislation, tax reform, increasing infrastructure investment, and 
reforming the regulatory environment for small and medium business to minimize  regulatory burden. 
We have also put in place a plan for development of the digital economy, and established a process 
designed to boost the competitiveness of Australia’s services sector.  
Support for the multilateral trading system  
2.13.   During these dynamic times, Australia remains strongly committed to the mul tilateral trading 
system. The hallmarks of our approach are a commitment to rules a commitment to openness. The 
WTO, its rules, and dispute settlement framework have enduring value and are essential to the 
stability of Australia’s external economic environ ment.  
Engagement in WTO reform  
2.14.   Australia is actively supporting efforts to ensure the WTO remains at the core of a well -
functioning global trading system in the future. Updating the WTO rulebook, maintaining an effective 
dispute settlement system and addr essing institutional challenges are Australia’s highest priorities.  
2.15.   Most immediately, we are focused on finding a way forward on the Appellate Body with the 
goal of preserving confidence in the WTO’s dispute settlement system and its two -tier review 
mechanism. A successful multilateral outcome will only be developed with t he serious buy -in of all 
WTO Members, developed and developing. And we stand ready to find a way forward – working with 
all WTO Members.   
2.16.   Australia is also firmly committed to updating the WTO’s rulebook to ensure the Organization 
remains relevant to busi ness and the modern, global economy. We have been, and will continue to 
be, consistent policy leaders across much of the negotiating agenda.  
2.17.   Australia has been a constructive and engaged participant in the fisheries subsidies 
negotiations. We need to push hard to secure an outcome by MC12 that will offer new disciplines on 
fisheries subsidies. That’s important for trade – but also for environmental sustainability.  
2.18.   Australia actively participates in all the Joint Statement Initiatives which we consider vital  to 
injecting much needed momentum into the WTOs negotiating function.  We have been driving efforts 
to conclude negotiations on services domestic regulation at MC12, which will benefit services 
suppliers globally.  
2.19.   Australia, along with Japan and Singapor e, is also a co -convenor of the E -commerce JSI and 
Ambassador Lisson has ably and effectively chaired these important negotiations to the point they 
are at today. In today’s technology -driven global economy, WTO rules for global digital trade, worth 
over U S 29 trillion dollars in 2017 are essential to help unlock the economic potential of digital trade 
for all WTO Members.  
2.20.   And we are an active participant in the initiatives on investment facilitation and micro small 
and medium enterprises.  
2.21.   As Chair of the C airns Group coalition we are working to reset the global discussions on trade 
distorting agricultural domestic support. As a competitive and productive agricultural exporter, we 
need market -oriented and transparent agricultural trading rules to deliver a f air trading environment. 
If we do not act now, domestic support entitlements for agriculture could be over two trillion U.S. 
dollars by 2030.  
2.22.   These rules underpin the livelihood of Australia’s rural communities, and our economic 
prosperity more broadly. T hat is why we need to prevent the very significant distortions that such 
levels of support could have on trade in agriculture.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  Support to developing countries  
2.23.   Australia prioritiz es support for developing countries to maximize  the benefits for all of 
intern ational trade. We have been a strong supporter of the Global Aid for Trade Initiative since it 
began in 2005.  
2.24.   In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, the Australian Government set a target in 
June 2014 to increase Australia's aid for trade investm ents to 20 % of the total aid budget by 2020. 
Australia achieved its target ahead of schedule in 2016 -17, and has met it every year since.  
2.25.   A key element of our aid for trade program is supporting developing countries to undertake 
trade facilitation reforms  in line with the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation. To date, we have 
contributed over USD 11 million to support this work.  
2.26.   Australia also continues to integrate gender equality and women’s economic empowerment 
into our aid for trade investments to suppo rt more women to participate fully and effectively in trade.  
Free Trade Agreements  
2.27.   As a nation that relies on trade with the world for its economic prosperity, Australia has 
continued to pursue ambitious and WTO -consistent free trade agreements to secure significant new 
market access, create investment opportunities and stimulate our competitiveness. Australia’s high 
quality FTAs also aim to serve as building blocks for wider multilateral liberalization . 
2.28.   Since our last Trade Policy Review, new Australian FTAs have entered into force such as the 
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans -Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and bilateral FTAs 
with China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Peru. Australia has also concluded free trade agreements 
with Indo nesia and the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Partnership Plus (PACER Plus).  
2.29.   As a result, over 70 % of Australia’s two -way goods and services trade is now with countries 
with whom we have an in -force free trade agreement – a significant expansion on th e 2013 figure 
of 26.8 %. 
2.30.   This figure will continue to grow. Australia is currently engaged in active bilateral FTA 
negotiations with the European Union, and regional FTA negotiations within the Regional 
Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and with the  Pacific Alliance. Australia aims to expand 
Australia’s current network of free trade agreements to have around 90 percent of our two-way 
trade covered by FTAs by 2022. All of these agreements of course build on, and reinforce, WTO rules 
and principles.  
Concluding remarks  
2.31.   In conclusion, Australia remains a staunch advocate for an open international economy. We 
will continue to stand against protectionism and to promote and defend the international trade rules 
that guard against unfair trade actions and help  to resolve disputes.  
2.32.   As a medium -sized nation that depends heavily on openness in world trade, Australia will 
continue to have a major interest in preserving and building upon the strength of the rules -based 
multilateral trading system with the WTO at its  centre.  
2.33.   Australia welcomes the valuable engagement and contributions by our Chair, Ambassador 
Teehankee, and our discussant, Ambassador Braithwaite, during our Review. We are especially 
grateful to those other WTO Members who have continued to engage with  us so constructively and 
informatively throughout the course of our TPR. Thank you.  
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  3  STATEMENT BY THE DIS CUSSANT  
3.1.  Thank you, Ambassador Teehankee . I'd also like to extend a welcome to First Assistant 
Secretary George Mina and his team from Canberra, and to Ambassador Lisson and her Geneva -
based colleagues.  
3.2.  It is a great pleasure for me to serve as the discussant for Australia's eighth Trade Policy  
Review. The United Kingdom and Australia share a long and close history, including ties of kinship 
and friendship. Visitors from the United Kingdom account for over 700,000 arrivals in Australia each 
year, making the United Kingdom the fourth ranking sour ce country for short -term visitors. The top 
reason cited by visitors from the UK to Australia for their travel to Australia is to see family and 
friends. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade country brief for the United Kingdom says that 
"The United  Kingdom is one of our most like -minded partners in the world", which I consider to be 
as complimentary as it is true.  
3.3.  My role as discussant is to highlight the most important issues for discussion, particularly the 
developments since the last review and the trade and trade related challenges facing Australia. I will 
focus on developments in Australia's economic outlook, its trade policy, and on the issues that 
Members have raised in their questions.  
3.4.  First, the economic outlook.  
3.5.  The excellent report from the WTO Secretariat, for which I commend Director Alfaro and his 
staff, notes the resilience of the Australian economy, which has not suffered a recession in nearly 
29 years. At the time of its last Trade Policy Review in 2015, Australia's economy faced ch allenges 
from the end of the mining boom, excess capacity in the labour market, risks in the housing sector, 
and exposure to economic slowdowns in major export markets. It was able to weather these 
economic challenges through prudent economic policies whil e maintaining its commitment to 
openness and the multilateral trading system.  
3.6.  During the review period, Australia undertook a number of actions to support growth and 
employment. Government spending on infrastructure and research and development both incre ased. 
Corporate tax reductions for small and medium -sized businesses were introduced under the Ten 
Year Enterprise Tax Plan to make Australia's rates more competitive internationally. The government 
continued to reduce regulatory barriers and the costs of compliance, to the benefit of businesses. It 
adopted significant changes to the legislative framework for competition policy in 2017 and 2018. 
Australia's liberal investment regime contributed to an increase of inward foreign direct investment 
over the rev iew period with notable growth in the financial services and real estate sectors.  
3.7.  The 2015 Trade Policy Review identified certain problematic areas, such as low productivity 
growth, weak employment growth and labour force participation growth, that also f eature in this 
year's report.  
3.8.  As the Australian Government has noted in its own report, investment in education will be an 
important element of Australia's plans to use science and technology and the digital economy to 
improve productivity and contribute to continuing growth. Although infrastructure spending has 
increased, continued gaps in both transport and social infrastructure are forecast. Additionally, the 
high cost of energy, reflecting limited competition within the sector, continues to be a challe nge. 
Increased investment in renewable energy sources has resulted in a larger share of electricity being 
provided through these 'clean' sources.  
3.9.  Finally, the Secretariat Report refers to the findings of the Banking Royal Commission, and 
quotes the Reserv e Bank of Australia on the need for changes to 'reduce the risk of future 
misconduct, ensure the quality of financial services provided in Australia meets community 
expectations, and protect the reputation of Australian banks among international creditors. ' Early 
implementation of these recommendations ought to provide greater confidence for the domestic and 
international business community.  
3.10.   Second, Trade Policy.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  3.11.   Australia continued to demonstrate its commitment to the WTO and the multilateral trading 
system during the Review period. In June of 2015 it ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement, it is 
implementing the expansion of the Information Technology Agreement and last May joined the 
plurilateral Government Procurement Agreement. It is actively engage d in the on -going negotiations 
on disciplining harmful fisheries. In those negotiations, Australia is contributing both a facilitator to 
support the negotiations, as well as the institutional memory of one of their negotiators, which 
extends back to the be ginning of the talks. Australia has also shown great leadership in the work 
under the Joint Statement Initiatives, in particular on E -Commerce.  
3.12.   In parallel, Australia also pursues bilateral and plurilateral trade liberalization through a 
number of regiona l trade agreements. Three new RTAs entered into force since the last review, and 
a further four were signed. Australia is currently engaged in free trade negotiations with the 
European Union, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and India, as well as under the Pa cific Alliance with 
Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership with 
ASEAN and other regional partners.  
3.13.   Third, future risk.  
3.14.   Australia has demonstrated its ability to manage negative impacts that result from two 
particular risks: global commodity price volatility, and demand fluctuations in key export markets. 
Commodities, especially mineral products, make up an important part of Australia's merchandise 
export mix. Australia has weathered price volatility through a flexible exchange rate and flexibility 
in the labour market. Its export mix is also diversifying, with steady growth in services exports 
during the review period. Services exports accounted for about 21 percent of Australia's exports in 
2018/19.  
3.15.   The repor t notes that Australia's exports, particularly merchandise exports, remain heavily 
dependent on Asian markets. Eighty -four percent of Australia's exports went to Asian markets in 
2018, up from 80 percent in 2010. Services export destinations are more diver sified than 
merchandise exports, but China is the largest export destination for both Australian merchandise 
exports and services exports. It is the top purchaser of education and tourism services, which are 
key components of Australian services exports. W e hope that the economic disruptions resulting 
from the current Covid -19 outbreak, including impacts on travel, will have only a temporary effect.  
3.16.   Climate change is a growing risk for Australia, as we saw with the catastrophic bushfires at 
the end of 2019  and beginning of this year. The fires caused significant economic losses. In addition, 
they jeopardize the important Australian tourism sector, and agricultural production and exports.  
3.17.   Fourth, issues raise d by other Members.  
3.18.   More than 30 Members have submitted written questions to Australia on a range of issues. I 
will mention a few that featured more prominently, starting with some perennial favourites. The 
Secretariat report notes that Australia is a relatively frequent user  of anti -dumping measures, and 
ranks 4th among Members that impose countervailing measures, and a number of Members 
submitted questions related to trade remedies.  
3.19.   Members again submitted a number of questions about sanitary and phytosanitary measures, 
particularly regarding the Biosecurity Act of 2015 and the Imported Food Control Act of 2018.  
3.20.   In addition, Members continued to express concern about the luxury car tax and excise tax 
treatment of alcoholic beverages other than wine, as well as discriminatory  treatment in state level 
taxes.  
3.21.   In previous reviews, Members asked questions about government procurement, and noted 
that Australia maintained certain tariff peaks and a number of unbound tariffs. Since the last review, 
Australia has acceded to the Gover nment Procurement Agreement, and its implementation of the 
Information Technology Agreement led to slight drop in the average applied tariff as some 100 tariff 
lines were made duty -free.  
3.22.   For this year's Trade Policy Review, a number of Members had questio ns about Australia's 
investment regime, particularly the screening of foreign direct investment. Members were also WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  interested in Australia's electronic commerce measures, and its efforts to develop its digital 
economy.  
3.23.   In concluding my remarks, I would li ke to highlight the clear linkage between the priorities 
that Australia described in its Government Report for this review, and its active engagement here at 
the WTO. Australia is finding ways to assist small and medium -sized enterprises, including reducin g 
regulatory burdens on them. To enhance its services export competitiveness, it will help firms 
internationalize and reduce domestic regulatory complexity. It is implementing a new strategy to 
ensure the competitiveness of its digital economy by investing  in skills and infrastructure. 
International trade features in Australia's approach to each of these priorities, which it has backed 
up through its leadership in the work at the WTO as part of the joint statement initiatives on MSMEs, 
domestic services reg ulation, and e -commerce.  
3.24.   Given its enviable record of economic growth, many Members may look toward Australia's 
experience to inform their own policies. Not every country can be as lucky as Australia to be endowed 
with vast natural resources and connected  to fast -growing markets with high demand for these 
commodities. But we can all learn from Australia's commitment to openness and international trade. 
Australia knows that it has benefitted from the WTO, and in return, it invests in the WTO and its 
pursuit  of freer trade through its notifications and transparency, and its active engagement in both 
the negotiating function and the regular work of WTO bodies.  
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  4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBER S 
REPUBLIC  OF KOREA  
Opening Remarks  
4.1.  It is a pleasure to be the first speaker from the floor to extend a warm welcome to the Australian 
delegation for its eighth Trade Policy Review. In particular, I would like to thank First Assistant 
Secretary Mr.  George Mina for his comprehensive and elabo rate presentation.  
4.2.  My special appreciation also goes to Ambassador Julian Braithwaite for his contribution as a 
discussant and to the Secretariat for its detailed and informative report.  
Trade Policy  
4.3.  Australia is experiencing twenty -eight years of contin uous economic growth with an average 
annual growth rate of about 2.6%  during the review period according to its report. This reflects the 
strong fundamentals of the Australian economy in the face of many challenges. The sustained growth 
also attributes to its pursuit of openness and support for the rules -based multilateral trading system.  
4.4.  In particular, Korea takes note of its efforts to resist protectionism and its strong commitment 
to the WTO. Since the seventh TPR, Australia has entered into and ratified  important WTO 
agreements such as the Trade Facilitation Agreement, the expanded Information Technology 
Agreement, as well as the Agreement on Government Procurement. This is expected to be beneficial 
not only to Australia but to other WTO  Members as well.   
4.5.  Australia is actively participating in various initiatives to strengthen the WTO. Australia has 
consistently called for the prompt resolution of the impasse in the Appellate Body. Moreover, it is 
leading the efforts to update the WTO rulebook on fisherie s subsidies, e -commerce, service domestic 
regulations, investment facilitation, and MSMEs, to maintain the relevance of the WTO. The 
12th Ministerial Conference is less than 3 months away and Korea expects high level of contribution 
by Australia to continu e. Korea will collaborate closely with Australia through many formats and on 
various levels.  
Bilateral Relations  
4.6.  Korea and Australia have maintained a strong bilateral econo mic relationship with the 
Korea -Australia Free Trade Agreement at its center. In f act, Korea continues to be a major trading 
partner to Australia, being Australia's fourth largest trading partner, and third largest export market. 
Nevertheless, Korea sees room for improvement in our bilateral trade relations, considering that in 
spite of  the increase in Australia's overall trade volume, bilateral trade volume in 2019 fell by 6% 
compared to 2018.  
4.7.  On investment, the two countries continued to expand the size of mutual investment in 2018 
with Korea's investment bound for Australia increasin g by 6.7 % and 8.2 % vice versa. Going forward, 
Korea has high hopes that this bilateral investment relationship will keep growing.  
Trade Concerns  
4.8.  Korea views our bilateral economic partnership on a positive trajectory that has great potential.  
4.9.  In this reg ard, Korea has posed some questions of interest and concern and is grateful for 
Australia's timely written response. Please allow me to reiterate some points where we further seek 
a productive and positive response from Australia.  
4.10.   First, Korea is interest ed in finding out more about the amendments made to the Goods and 
Services Tax (GST) regime, especially on the scope of the term "digital products." Korea deems 
important that such amendments are compatible with the ongoing discussion regarding the WTO 
Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmission. Korea appreciates the response provided, 
but requests a more detailed response as to how Australia plans to "ensure that non -resident 
suppliers are not drawn unnecessarily into the system."  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  4.11.   Second, Korea takes note of the recent reform introduced to Australia's Country of Origin 
Labelling system. Korea appreciates the response provided and will, in particular, carefully examine 
the Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS). Korea expects Australia to  continue to prevent unnecessary 
obstacles to trade while taking into account the stakeholders' concerns.  
4.12.   Third, Korea has also posed other questions, such as the evaluation criteria for foreign 
investment, government support towards automotive sector, th e Local Jobs First Act regarding 
specific infrastructure projects, and difficulties in Australia's strict quarantine and customs clearance 
procedures.  
4.13.   Korea will closely review all responses provided by Australia and get back to them bilaterally 
if necess ary. 
Closing Remarks  
4.14.   Korea would like to , once again , highlight the Australia's efforts to make the overall trading 
environment more open, transparent, and efficient. Korea encourages Australia to keep moving in 
this direction to facilitate trade and inves tment and improving the overall economic environment in 
a sustainable manner. In addition, Korea is confident that the efforts put forth by Australia will 
contribute to a successful MC -12 due in three months' time.  
4.15.   I would like to conclude by expressing m y deep appreciation to the delegation of Australia for 
its hard work and wishing the delegation every success in this TPR.  
CANADA  
4.16.   I welcome this opportunity to participate in the 14th Trade Policy Review of Australia. Canada 
and Australia enjoy a strong and multifaceted relationship. Our growing and diversified trade and 
investment relationship is rooted in a shared commitment to the rules -based international order. 
This relationship i s characterized by co -operation between our private sectors, joint investment 
initiatives, and our governments working collaboratively on a variety of international issues.  
4.17.   Canada and Australia are close partners on international trade liberalization, incl uding at the 
WTO. We welcome Australia’s leadership role in the WTO, including through the Cairns Group, as 
one of the co -conveners of the WTO JSI E -Commerce negotiations, the services domestic regulation 
negotiations and as a strong supporter of the Bueno s Aires Declaration on Trade and Women’s 
Economic Empowerment. Australia’s leadership extends to its compliance with WTO notification 
obligations where we note its excellent track -record, one that can serve as an example to other WTO 
members. Canada values  Australia’s engagement as a member of the Ottawa Group on WTO reform. 
We look forward to continuing our work with Australia and others to finalize a multi -party interim 
appeal -arbitration arrangement as outlined in a joint ministerial statement in Davos t his past 
January.  
4.18.   We congratulate Australia on its accession to the revised Agreement on Government 
Procurement in May last year and look forward to working together in that agreement to advance 
work on common objectives.  
4.19.   I want to congratulate Australia on hosting a successful Cairns Group Ministerial meeting in 
January 2020 in Davos and for their ongoing leadership in the WTO agriculture negotiations.  In 
Davos, Canada was happy to co -sponsor a proposal with Australia and 17 other Members on a 
framework for advancing negotiations on agricul ture domestic support at MC12. Canada looks 
forward to working with Australia to take a step forward on agriculture reform at MC12.  
4.20.   Canada would like to recognize Australia’s efforts to promote trade and environment iss ues 
at the WTO. Australia is co -sponsoring a proposal in the Council for Trade in Services in Special 
Session to informally engage in exploratory discussions on market access in environmental services. 
In addition, we remain grateful for Australia’s leader ship in the Environmental Goods Agreement 
negotiations as well as our cooperation in helping develop a statement on trade and environmental 
sustainability in time for MC12. Canada looks forward to continuing to work with Australia on trade 
and environment issues at the CTE as well as in the context of the Comprehensive and Progressive 
Agreement for Trans -Pacific Partnership.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  4.21.   Canada values Australia’s work to promote the economic development and participation in 
trade of Indigenous peoples in the Rotorua Gro up, which was established on the margins of the 
World Indigenous Business Forum in 2018. Canada is encouraged by the work advanced to date, 
and looks forward to continue to engage with Australia and the rest of the Rotorua Group on 
innovative and concrete activities that will seek to identify and remove the barriers that Indigenous 
peoples face in accessing the benefits created by international trade and investment.  
4.22.   As noted in some of our questions in the Trade Policy Review, Canada does have some 
concern s with respect to several of Australia’s sanitary and phytosanitary measures including with 
respect to beef and pork imports. In Canada’s view, these measures are not based on international 
standards, guidelines, or recommendations established by the World  Organiz ation for Animal Health, 
are more trade restrictive than necessary, and negatively impact upon Canadian exports to Australia.  
Canada calls upon Australia to base its sanitary measures on an assessment of risks taking into 
account the risk assessme nt technique s developed by the World Organiz ation for Animal Health.  
4.23.   A little over one year ago, Canada and Australia embarked on a new journey together as 
partners in the CPTPP. This is an ambitious and high -standard free trade agreement covering 
virtuall y all aspects of trade and investment. The Agreement reinforces our shared commitment to 
effective, open, inclusive and rules -based trade. The CPTPP strengthens and diversifies Canada’s 
and Australia’s trade and investment positions in our respective marke ts. 
4.24.   Through the CPTPP, we are also pleased to work with Australia to address key challenges and 
barriers of doing business in the global marketplace that disproportionately affect SMEs, and to 
ensure that SMEs have access to the information they need to ex plore and navigate the CPTPP 
markets. Canada looks forward to our continued economic partnership with Australia as both 
countries strive to ensure that our exporters, importers, investors and service providers take 
advantage of the opportunities created by  the Agreement.  
4.25.   To conclude, please let me express my gratitude for Australia’s commitment to this 
Organization specifically, and to rules -based trade generally. Canada thanks Australia for its 
invaluable contribution and looks forward to working with Aust ralia to further protect and promote 
the multilateral rules -based trading system.  
ISRAEL  
4.26.   Israel  would like to thank you, the d iscussant Ambassador Julian Braithwaite (United 
Kingdom), Australia and the Secretariat for the detailed reports. Israel also welc omes Mr. George 
Mina from Canberra, as the Head of Dele gation. Israel and Australia have  had close ties that extend 
beyond economic and trade relations since t he birth of Israel as a nation S tate.  
4.27.   Before delving into the TPR, Israel would like to share ou r deep sympathy with the Australian 
people and its Government as they faced multiple wildfires in recent months. The courage and 
strength displayed during these times and the subsequent rebuilding are a testament to famous 
Australian spirit.  
4.28.   Australia is a n important economically for Israel and not only due to our strong bilateral ties, 
which in economic terms has seen significantly increased engagement across a range of sectors, 
including innovation. In fact, it is worth noting that Israel's President, Mr.  Reuven Rivlin, just 
concluded not more than 3 weeks ago a very successful official visit to Australia.  
4.29.   Since the last review, Australia established one of its five innovation Landing Pads in Tel Aviv 
in 2016 as part of the National Innovation and Science Agenda. This was further expanded in 
February 2017, with a bilateral Technological Innovation Cooperation Agreement. The Agreement 
includes a bilateral funding program me to enable cooperation between Australian and Israeli 
companies.  
4.30.   In broader economic ma tters, there is clear expanded economic engagement –underpinned 
by the conclusion of several bilateral agreements. The latest one being a Double T axation Agreement 
in March 2019,  an Air  Services Agreement in February 2017, and a Working Holiday Agreement i n 
June 2016, just to name a few.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  4.31.   Australia and Israel have a healthy commercial relationship, which Israel would be happy to 
see blossom further. In 2018, two -way goods and ser vices trade amounted to nearly USD 1.3 billion. 
In 2018, Australian investment i n Israel totaled  USD 976 million and Israe li investment in Australia 
was USD 310 million, mostly centered in the innovation sector. Some of the major merchandise 
trade includes live animals, plastic products, pearls and gems, beef, and aluminum . Also worth 
noting that as of July 2019, 20 Israeli companies were listed on the Austral ian Stock Exchange 
(ASX), making Israel the third largest source of foreign company listings. Australia has long been a 
beacon of global economic growth, going for nearly 30 years of uninterrupted growth. Its solid 
institutions weathered the global financi al crisis during the last decade. Australia has tackled some 
of the recent slowing down in private consumption with economic stimuli in the form of lower tax 
rates, higher public consumption, and increased outlays on research and development.  
4.32.   In trade, since the last review, Australia has been active in the RTA front, with the entry into 
force of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans -Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and 
free trade agreements (FTAs) with Japan and China.  
4.33.   In the WTO, Australia participates actively in initiatives and negotiations, many of which we 
have been working closely on. An example of this, is the Joint Statement Initiative in e -commerce, 
where Israel has had close dialogue with Australia and where Australia has taken a leading role.  
4.34.   During this exercise, Israel submitted questions to Australia, and we look forward to reviewing 
the replies in due course. Agriculture was the main area covered in these questions, namely 
regarding the allocation of tariff quotas to e xporters as well as the composition of Green Box support.  
4.35.   Israel appreciates Australia's constructive role across the ongoing WTO negotiations, and we 
look forward to Australia's contribution towards a successful MC12.  
4.36.   Israel would also like to commend th e positive leadership Ambassador Frances Lisson has 
displayed during her time in Geneva, and we look forward to continuing our close working 
relationship with her and her delegation.  
4.37.   Lastly, we wish the Australia a very successful TPR, and best wishes in the year to come to 
all of you.  
SWITZERLAND  
4.38.   Like previous speakers, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Mr. George Mina  of 
the delegation of Australia and thank the discussant for his astute observations on a country, which 
is not only a true fri end of the sys tem but an impressively active M ember in vi rtually all fora of this 
Organiz ation.  
4.39.   At first glance, Australia and Switzerland could not be more different. We are rather small and 
land-locked. Australia – located on the other side of the globe  – is a continent surrounded by the 
sea. But when it comes to the economy and trade, we have a lot in common.  
4.40.   We are both closely integrated into our respective regional supply chains. We have both made 
openness a linchpin of our economic policy. My deleg ation also learned from the excellent report 
elaborated by the Secretariat that Australia has over a long period of time maintained a stable and 
at the same time flexible economic framework making the country resilient to adverse external 
shocks.  
4.41.   Hence the  economic fundamentals are sound and have been for quite some time. Like 
Switzerland, Australia places great emphasis on a judicious fiscal policy, striving to balance the books 
in order to have the necessary means available when conditions worsen.  
4.42.   And th e situation has become more difficult in the face of escalating trade disputes and volatile 
commodity prices.  
4.43.   The traditional current account deficit might increase as important exports dwindle and terms 
of trade deteriorate. It is therefore reassuring to observe that Australia's external debt in large part 
is denominated in its own currency.   WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  4.44.   Looking at the trade statistics, one gets the impression that the Australian economy has 
perhaps become too dependent on the export of minerals and fossil fuels. The manufacturing sector 
is surprisingly small even for a modern economy with its innate tendency to see its services sector 
grow at the expense of industry.  
4.45.   We note that Australia intends to diversify its exports markets by becoming a signatory to the 
Region al Comprehensive Economic Partnership and by concluding an FTA with the EU and later with 
the UK. Such a diversification would not only add to the country's resilience but in all likelihood also 
create incentives for the manufacturing base to be revived.  
4.46.   It did not escape our attention that Australia's simple average bound tariff tends to be 
relatively high for an open and highly developed economy. Some tariff lines are even unbound. It 
seems to us that this situation can create uncertainty and is a deviat ion – albeit a minor one – from 
an overall framework known for its stability and predictability.  
4.47.   Swiss companies dealing with Australia praise the economy's high quality regulations and a 
sophisticated legal system. Public tendering, however, could be mad e a bit more transparent.  
4.48.   Moreover, generic drugs are sometimes put on the market without having notified the original 
producer from the beginning. And the protection of test data expires after 5 years already.  
4.49.   Imported dairy products can be held up at t he border on account of excessively strict SPS 
controls. And the Australian TRQ for foreign cheese seems rather modest given the size of the 
country.  
4.50.   The OECD has pointed out that Australia's CO2 emissions remain high. Australia is a party to 
the G20 comm itment to remove inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. Any measures undertaken by the 
Australian authorities to meet that essential objective or to combat climate change in general would 
not go unnoticed by the international community.  
4.51.   We thank Australia for having provided comprehensive replies to all the questions submitted 
in writing.  
4.52.   In concluding , we wish the Australian delegatio n a successful outcome of this Trade Policy 
Review.  
COSTA  RICA 
4.53.   On behalf of the Government of Costa Rica, I would  like to warmly welcome the delegation of 
Australia, headed by Mr George Mina of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the 
Australian Permanent Mission to the WTO, led by Ambassador Lisson. We would like to thank them 
for their report and this m orning's presentation. We would also like to thank the discussant, 
Ambassador Braithwaite of the United Kingdom, for his valuable remarks, and the WTO Secretariat 
for its report and for its work, which has been as valuable as ever.  
4.54.   Costa Rica and Australia  have historically engaged in close multilateral collaboration, 
especially within the context of the WTO. Our relationship involves a common vision of the 
importance of international trade and investment in driving forward development through job 
creation and prosperity. As a founding Member of the WTO, Australia has played a key role in shaping 
the system and continues to play a leading role in negotiations to reform the WTO.  
4.55.   Australia has always promoted agricultural trade reform and its leadership in its  role as 
coordinator of the Cairns Group has been evidence -based and ambitious. More recently, this 
leadership drove the launch of an innovative proposal for a negotiating framework for domestic 
support. Costa Rica fully supports Australia's work in this a rea for the Twelfth Ministerial Conference 
(MC12) and we invite other Members to join us in forging new areas of consensus on agriculture.  
4.56.   It is also important to highlight how Australia has played an active role in the WTO reform 
process by supporting pro posals to ensure that the Appellate Body continues to operate and becomes 
more transparent. Australia also works with Costa Rica on joint initiatives related to electronic 
commerce, domestic regulation, small and medium -sized enterprises, and investment.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  4.57.   Domestically, Australia has enjoyed sound macroeconomic management since its last trade 
policy review. According to the report by the Secretariat, the country has shown growth rates of 
almost 2% per year in recent years, with a dynamic labour market, low i nflation and a fiscal 
environment that has allowed surpluses to be directed towards infrastructure.  
4.58.   In the area of trade, the Secretariat's report highlights the simple tariff structure, with low 
tariff rates on the back of unilateral reductions in recent  years. Australia's relationship with its trading 
partners is highly dynamic thanks to successful bilateral and regional trade agreements and systems 
of unilateral preferences. However, 5% of non -agricultural tariff lines remain unbound, indicating a 
certain amount of room for improvement.  
4.59.   Australia also faces significant long -term challenges, including its high concentration of 
mineral exports and its dependence on Asian markets – understandable, given its geographical 
location. We therefore welcome the Au stralian government's efforts to implement the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement, simplify and streamline the regulatory regime, especially for small 
businesses, and diversify the economy through pro -innovation policies.  
4.60.   High vulnerability to climate change and  natural disasters – a concern for both Australia and 
Costa Rica – needs to be addressed. This situation should encourage us to redouble our efforts 
towards more sustainable trade in the WTO.  
4.61.   Costa Rica also shares some of Australia's concerns for greater  transparency and certainty in 
the application of sanitary and phytosanitary measures in trade in agricultural products. We are 
working actively with Australia to address those concerns in the various WTO committees. We have 
identified these as priority ar eas for Costa  Rican trade policy and are very involved in the discussions 
currently under way at the multilateral level.  
4.62.   Costa Rica is particularly interested in Australia's national development policies for the tourism 
sector. We will closely follow its i mplementation of climate adaptation policies, especially those 
addressing access to water and drought management.  
4.63.   Under this review, Costa Rica submitted questions on tax incentives, trade facilitation, 
customs, investment policies, export programmes, gove rnment procurement, intellectual property, 
trade in services and digitization. We appreciate the Australian team's hard work in answering these 
questions, which will be carefully examined by our capital -based authorities.  
4.64.   Lastly, I would like to thank Aust ralia once again for its report and for today's presentation. 
We wish the country every success in this eighth trade policy review.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
4.65.   The European Union would like to express its apprec iation to the d elegation of Australia, led 
by Mr George Mi na (First Assistant Secretary, Office of Trade Negotiations), travelling all the way 
from Australia for this 8th TPR. The EU would also like to thank the WTO Secretariat and the 
Government of Australia for th eir respective reports and the d iscussant, Ambas sador Julian 
Braithwaite, for his remarks. Due to the emergency situation on Coronavirus this meeting takes 
place in a virtual manner, but we encourage all Members to make the best of it even under these 
exceptional circumstances.   
4.66.   I would like to start by applauding Australia’s record of 28 years of continuous economic 
growth, which is the result of successful economic policies combined with the fostering of an 
outward -looking economy. Like everyone here, the EU still has in mind th e dramatic bushfires that 
have been exceptional in terms of intensity, duration and impact on the populations concerned. The 
EU showed full solidarity with those affected and offered its assistance. The fact that the fires had 
only a limited impact on the Australian economy should not hide that climate change is likely to be 
a much more challenging issue for Australia’s drought -affected areas over the longer run.  
4.67.   The EU is ready to increase cooperation with Australia on climate change. The EU-Australia 
Framework Agreement that we signed in 2017 contains sustainable development provisions, 
including on crucial climate topics. The EU also notes that Australia is currently investing in various 
renewable energy projects, which we strongly support. In our current  bilateral FTA negotiations, we WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  are also attaching great importance to the sustainable development chapter, as colleagues here are 
well aware since we had our own TPR last month.  
4.68.   During the review period, the Australian economy continued to internationaliz e. The Australian 
Government has sought to strengthen the overall performance of the economy through a range of 
reforms and regulatory changes. These include increasing infrastructure investment, reforming the 
regulatory environment and a plan for the deve lopment of the digital economy. The EU welcomes 
these sound macroeconomic policies and structural reforms. As acknowledged in the Secretariat 
report, trade policy in Australia is founded on a broad understanding that international trade and 
investment are critical to the economy, providing jobs and prosperity. The EU and Australia are like -
minded on trade policy in this regard, providing for a sound basis for our relationship.  
4.69.   The EU and Australia are long -standing partners with increasingly important comme rcial ties. 
The EU is currently Australia’s third largest trading partner (after UK’s withdrawal from the EU) and 
the second biggest investor in terms of Foreign Direct Investment. In 2018, the value of total trade 
between the EU and Australia amounted to almost €48 billio n. The EU represented 12.8% of 
Australia's goods and services trade.   
4.70.   I also wish to convey the EU's appreciation for Australia's significant contribution to the 
multilateral trading system. The EU and Australia share the deep concerns ab out the crisis in the 
WTO and converge o n the need to reform the Organiz ation to address the root causes of today’s 
trade tensions and fill the gaps in the rule book. The EU and Australia have an excellent cooperation 
on the various ongoing plurilateral in itiatives and we are working together in the Ottawa Group and 
towards the Multi -Party Interim Arrangement . We would also like to congratulate Australia for its 
accession to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement on 5 May 2019.  
4.71.   Despite  of Australia's posi tive record, I would like to refer to some of issues of concern in the 
EU questions submitted for this TPR that we find particularly important.  
4.72.   First, the EU has concerns in the area of taxation. Several EU Member States do not yet benefit 
from Double Tax ation Agreements with Australia. The absence of such agreements limits trade 
opportunities and would also limit the benefits of the Free Trade Agreement that we are currently 
negotiating, including for the EU Member States affected.  
4.73.   The EU also continues to be concerned about the Australian Luxury Car Tax, which puts the 
EU car exporters at a clear disadvantage. The proliferation of similar taxes at the state level in 
Australia adds to these concerns. Furthermore, the lack of a level playing field resulting from the 
application of the Australian Wine Equalization Tax remains a matter of concern. We also hope that 
Australia will soon comply with recommendations from the OECD forum on harmful tax practices 
and reform its Offshore Banking  Units fiscal regime.  
4.74.   In the area of investment, the Australian Government applies wide grounds for the screening 
of foreign direct investment going beyond “national security”. This screening and its thresholds 
continue to put EU investors at a disadvantag e in comparison to investors of several other third 
countries.  
4.75.   To conclude on a positive note, the EU appreciates the transparency of Australia's trade 
policies and welcomes that Australia chose the alternative timeline for its review, which allowed us 
to get their replies in a timely manner in advance of the meeting. If we have any comments on the 
replies provided, we may express them on Friday. We wish Australia an excellent R eview.  
HONG  KONG,  CHINA  
4.76.   I would like to extend a warm welcome to the Australia n delegation led by Mr George Mina, 
First Assistant Secretary of  its Trade Negotiations Office.  I would also like to thank the discussant, 
Ambassador Braithwaite of the UK, for sharing his insights with us.   
4.77.   Hong Kong, China (HKC) has a close trade and economic relationship with Australia, which 
was our 7th  largest trading partner in services in 2017, while the merchandise trade between HKC 
and Australia  grew steadily at 1.5% a year during 2014 to 2018.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  4.78.   Our economic ties were further strengthened when th e Free Trade Agreement and Investment 
Agreement between HKC and Australia entered in to force in January this year. The two agreements 
have provided a new platform for traders and investors of the two economies to explore untapped 
business opportunities and  expand their businesses in the region.  
4.79.   Australia is an advocate of open international economy. We highly appreciate Australia’s 
strong commitment to the rules -based system as demonstrated by its active participation in WTO 
negotiations and discussions, in particular in the Joint Statement Initiatives on electronic commerce 
and services domestic regulation.  We also note Australia’s support to the Joint Statement Initiative 
on Investment  Facilitation for Development. HKC looks forward to working closely with  Australia and 
other like -minded Members to achieve concrete outcomes on these important issues at MC12.  
4.80.   Now let me turn to a few specific areas in Australia’s trade policies.  On services, both HKC 
and Australia pursue liberali zation of trade in services.  We would encourage Australia  to continue 
its efforts in liberaliz ing the services markets to promote foreign investment.  
4.81.   On trade facilitation, we would commend Australia’s continued effort in simplifying customs 
procedures.  Meanwhile, we are pleased to note that Australia ha s fully implemented its authoriz ed 
economic operator programme, namely, the Australian Trusted Trader (ATT), under which accredited 
traders can enjoy priority treatment at borders .  ATT businesses also hav e access to trade facilitation 
benefits in other places, including Hong Kong, which have concluded Mutual Recognition 
Arrangements with Australia.   
4.82.   On tariffs, we  are glad to learn that the average rate of applied MFN duties on non -agricultural 
products f or Australia had declined from 3.3% in 2014 to 2.7% in 2019,  as a result of unilateral 
tariff reductions and implementation of the expanded Information Technology Agreement. 
Nevertheless, notwithstanding Australia’s low or zero applied tariffs at present, the comparatively 
high bound rates remain a source of uncertainties to some businesses. We encourage Australia to 
consider narrowing the gap between its existing applied rates and bound rates so as to enhance 
predictability of the trading environment.  
4.83.   Lastly, we congratulate  Australia on the entry into force of the Agreement on Government 
Procurement in May last year and would look forward to working with Australia closely in the 
Committee on Government Procurement.  
4.84.   HKC would continue to foster our economic and trade cooperat ion with Australia , and 
collaborate further in promoting and defending the rules -based multilateral trading system . We 
thank Australia for its replies to our written ques tions and wish it a successful Trade Policy R eview.  
THE SEPARATE  CUSTOMS  TERRITORY  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU  
4.85.   I would like to warmly welcome the delegation of Australia headed by Mr  George Mina, First 
Assistant Secretary in the Office of Trade Negotiations, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; 
the rest of the delegation, includ ing H.E. Ambassador Frances Lisson, Permanent Representative of 
Australia to the WTO; other colleagues from the Mission in G eneva; and the discussant, 
H.E. Ambassador Julian  Braithwaite (United Kingdom).  
4.86.   The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Ki nmen and Matsu is very pleased to note 
that the Australian economy has facilitated nearly 30 years of remarkably uninterrupted growth.  
4.87.   Australia is a leader in the trading community. Australia plays an active role in the multilateral 
trading system, where agreements have the potential to generate the greatest overall benefits. For 
example, Australia became the 48th member of plurilateral WTO Agreement on Government 
Procurement (GPA) in 2019 and agreed to expand coverage to 201 more products in the Informati on 
Technology Agreement (ITA) in 2015. Furthermore, Australia, together with some members, also 
led the launch of negotiations on trade -related aspects of electronic commerce and service domestic 
regulation negotiations. All these demonstrated Australia's support for the multilateral trading 
system and strong commitment to the rule -based multilateral trading system.  
4.88.   Reflecting its deep commitment to trade liberalization, Australia has played a leading role in 
regional trade arrangements. Australia was a fou nding member of the Asia -Pacific Economic WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  Cooperation (APEC) forum in 1989 and one of the founding members of the comprehensive and 
Progressive Agreement for Trans -Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). We value Australia as an important 
partner and trusted friend i n the Asia -Pacific region in pursuit of our shared commitment to free 
trade.  
4.89.   Bilaterally, according to our statistics, Australia is now our 11th largest trading partner. The 
total value of two -way trade registered between Australia and the Separate Customs Territory of 
Taiwan, Penghu, K inmen and Matsu was close to USD 13.4 billion in 2019. We believe that both our 
economies have benefited from an open international trading environment.  
4.90.   Despite Australia's excellent record, there are some ar eas where we would see room for 
further improvements. This leads me to some issues raised by my Mission in the questions submitted 
ahead of this TPR. One of focused issues is trade remedy. Australia is an active user of anti -dumping 
and countervailing meas ures by international comparison. At the end of 2018, 83 anti -dumping 
measures were in force, which led Australia became the 6th largest user of anti -dumping measures 
among WTO Members.  
4.91.   In addition, we look forward to more detail regarding CPTPP, includin g the reasons for the 
increase in the threshold for acquisitions in the CPTPP and the difference between the actual impact 
of the CPTPP and the Australian assessment. We also look forward to more information regarding 
the effectiveness and challenges encou ntered in the implementation of 2015 and 2018 Copyright 
Amendment (Online Infringement).  
4.92.   We thank Australia for their written answers, which we shall study very carefully and may 
wish to come back to with further questions at a later stage.  
4.93.   To conclude on a more positive note which Australia more than deserves, we highly appreciate 
the transparency of Australia's trade policies and wishes Australia a successful review. I am confident 
that all suggestions and feedback provided by Members during this exercise  will be well received.  
BRAZIL  
4.94.   We would like to extend a warm welcome to the Australian delegation, headed by George 
Mina on the occasion of the eighth Trade Policy Review of Australia. We thank the Australian 
Government and the WTO Secretariat fo r their r eports, as well as de d iscussant, Ambassador Julian 
Braithwaite, for his insightful comments. Finally, we would also like to extend our thanks Ambassador 
Frances Lisson and her team for the key role we know they played in the preparations for t his 
Review.  
4.95.   Australia continued to register solid economic performance, not only in the last review period, 
but over the last three decades. The Australian economy was able to adjust to all of the different 
cycles that we have been through and managed to keep uninterr upted growth of the last thirty years 
- a feat that few other were able to accomplish.  
4.96.   As indicated by the Australian Government, part of this success can be attributed to the 
pursuit of openness and support for the rules -based global trading system. This is a value which 
Brazil shares. We are also strongly committed to the WTO and, just as Australia, we believe that 
meaningful reforms are needed to ensure that the Organization - and multilateralism - remain alive.  
4.97.   Turning to our bilateral relations, after  reaching a peak of USD 2.4 billion in 2008, trade 
decreased to USD 1.4 billion in 2019. Although we there has been an increase over the last few 
years form a low of 1.2 billion, there clearly is room for improvement. Australia is the 15th largest 
investor  in Brazil with investments reaching USD 5.8 billion in 2017, mostly in the oil and gas sector. 
As a destination of Brazilian FDI, Australia has attracted a diverse group of companies that range 
from food processing to mining.  
4.98.   Brazil and Australia are both  large economies with a strong agricultural sector. We share the 
same objective of supporting an open, market oriented, multilateral trading system and achieving 
meaningful results in the agricultural negotiations here at the WTO. We commend Australia's 
long-standing leadership in the Cairns Group. We share Australia assessment that "agriculture WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  remains the most distorted sector of international trade" and we fully agree that we need to find 
ways to promote progressive and substantial reductions in trade -distorting domestic support.  
4.99.   We have submitted questions and we thank Australia for its replies. We will have a few more 
questions that we will be submitting today. We would appreciate if Australia could also provide 
answers to those.  
4.100.   Let me conc lude by wish ing the Australian d elegation a very successful trade Policy Review.  
COLOMBIA  
4.101.   First of all, we would like to welcome the distinguished delegation of Australia for this review, 
led by George Mina from the Office of Trade Negotiations, and also Ambassador Li sson and her team 
in Geneva. We would like to thank the Secretariat for its comprehensive report and Ambassador 
Braithwaite (United Kingdom) for his pertinent contributions as the discussant.  
4.102.   The Australian economy has stood out for its resilience in recent decades, with around 
30 years of uninterrupted growth, thanks in part to a tight monetary and exchange rate policy and 
a fiscal policy designed to support the government's economic objective s by increasing expenditure 
on infrastructure, education, healthcare and aged care.  
4.103.   In foreign trade, Australia's export basket is fairly highly concentrated, with mineral products 
accounting for around 60% of the total. The main destination market is Chi na (34% share). These 
two points are among just a few areas covered by the review in which there is room for 
improvements to be made to try to create a more diversified export basket of products. The picture 
is different for imports, which are more diversi fied in terms of both the products imported and the 
countries of origin. The main import category, machinery and electrical equipment, makes up only 
25.3% of the total, and is followed by transport equipment (14.7%.) and mineral products (14%). 
China is th e main supplier (24%), followed by EU -28 (18.3%) and the United States (11.1%).  
4.104.   Agriculture makes a significant contribution to the economy, and represents around 14% of 
merchandise exports. Government support is limited, targeting risk management, enviro nmental 
conservation and the provision of general services. There are no market price support subsidies. 
Impressively, agricultural holdings occupy and manage just over 48% of the total landmass of what 
is one of the world's largest countries. Furthermore,  thanks to a strongly export -oriented agricultural 
sector, with 77% of production sent overseas, Australia ranks first for sheep and goat meat exports, 
second for wool and rapeseed exports, third for beef and sugar exports, and fifth for cotton exports. 
This is why we also wish to highlight Australia's leadership in respect of agricultural policy 
performance, and in WTO negotiations as part of the Cairns Group.  
4.105.   Turning to bilateral trade relations, since 2014, Colombia has recorded a positive trade 
balance,  with exports of non -mining and non -energy goods – mainly coffee and flowers – making 
up 99% of total exports. Imports are diversified, the main products being electrical appliances, 
machinery for food and beverages and drilling machinery. Trade in both di rections has the potential 
to grow: Australia was only Colombia's 53rd largest export destination in 2018, accounting for 0.13% 
of Colombia's foreign sales, and was Colombia's 56th largest supplier of goods, accounting for 0.10% 
of Colombian purchases from  around the world. Meanwhile, we are negotiating an agreement 
between the Pacific Alliance (Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru) and Australia for the group to widen 
its area of integration by establishing the free movement of goods, services, capital and per sons 
between the two parties.  
4.106.   Lastly, allow us to highlight the contribution that Australia has made to strengthening the 
multilateral trading system. The country is a leader and proponent in various negotiations, including 
in agriculture, fisheries and e -commerce, and we therefore encourage it to maintain its commitment 
in order to achieve meaningful outcomes at the next Ministerial Conference.  
  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  ARGENTINA  
4.107.   We would like to join other Members in welcoming the Australian delegation, headed by 
Mr George Mina , the First Assistant Secretary of the Australian Office of Trade Negotiations.  
4.108.   We appreciate the reports drafted by Australia and the Secretariat, which have brought us 
up to speed on that Member's trade policies and practices. We also appreciate the pres entation made 
by the discussant, His Excellency Ambassador Braithwaite of the United Kingdom.  
4.109.   Argentina would like to begin with a message of solidarity and support to the Australian 
Government as it deals with the bushfires that have affected the country in recent months. We know 
that several regions have been hit hard by these fires.  
4.110.   Argentina would like to highlight the sustained economic growth that Australia has achieved 
in recent years, underpinned by a diversified economy that successfully weathered the last global 
financial crisis. Australia's single window is an important trade facilitation tool. We applaud the efforts 
that Australia has made through its regulatory system to reduce administrative burdens for micro, 
small and medium -sized enterprises  (MSMEs) and to encourage the expansion of its digital sector.  
4.111.   Argentina maintains strong political ties and trade links with Australia. We maintain close 
ties as regards the peaceful use of nuclear energy, with the Argentinian state enterprise INVAP 
havin g supplied a reactor for nuclear research. We also believe there is potential in trade and 
investment, agribusiness, energy, mining and high technology. Moreover, we are certain that the 
capacities of both countries as exporters of food and minerals could be strengthened. The bilateral 
consultations meeting held in Buenos Aires in 2017 and high -level visits are platforms for bilateral 
dialogue that we hope to strengthen over the coming years.  
4.112.   Strong bilateral ties also exist through technical cooperation in  agriculture and continuous 
high-level discussions in the agricultural sector. Science and technology are other areas in which we 
are working ever more closely, and we hope to further develop these links.  
4.113.   The Argentine Republic wishes to highlight Australi a's active participation in the negotiations 
on fisheries subsidies and in the various joint initiatives launched during the 11th Ministerial 
Conference, especially the initiative on e -commerce, of which it is the coordinator. Argentina and 
Australia joint ly participate in, inter alia , the Cairns Group of agricultural exporting Members. Our 
country values the intensive collaboration that is taking place between our respective permanent 
missions in Geneva to achieve substantive results on domestic support fo r agriculture at the 
Twelfth  Ministerial Conference (MC12) in Nur -Sultan.  
4.114.   Regarding agriculture, we welcome the fact that support for farmers is limited and that 
Australia does not resort to price support measures. Australia's current programmes focus only  on 
specific issues such as risk management, environmental conservation and the provision of general 
services.  
4.115.   It should be noted that Australia is one of the few Members of this Organization whose bound 
tariffs for agricultural products are significantly  lower than their bound tariffs for non -agricultural 
products. This reflects efforts to achieve a free international market for food, which we support.  
4.116.   We are concerned, nonetheless, about the implementation of certain sanitary and 
phytosanitary protection  measures that might occasionally harm trade with other Members, affecting 
agricultural products in particular.  
4.117.   In this trade policy review, Argentina has submitted questions to Australia on its innovation 
policies, its measures to improve access for agri cultural products to the Australian market and its 
policies on agro -industrial innovation. The answers provided will be examined in detail by our 
authorities in Buenos Aires.  
4.118.   Argentina sees Australia as a Member that is committed to the multilateral tradin g system. 
In addition to its good track record of compliance with its transparency obligations, Australia has 
ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) since its last trade policy review, fully implementing 
its commitments across all categories. Aust ralia has also been involved in concluding a number of WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  new regional trade agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for 
Trans -Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as well as free trade agreements with Japan and China.  
4.119.   Finally, we would like  to reiterate the importance of this exercise in transparency as a whole 
and wish the Australian authorities a successful conclusion to this, their eighth trade policy review.  
UNITED  STATES  
4.120.   We would like to warmly welcome Mr. George Mina and the rest of the Australian delegation, 
and compliment the G overnment's thorough report for its eighth  Trade Policy Review. We appreciate 
Ambassador Frances Lisson's ongoing contributions to this inst itution and for serving as the 
discussant for the United States' most recent TPR in 2018. We thank the Secretariat, too, for its 
excellent report on the recent developments in Australia's economic and trade policy. We also 
appreciate Australia's written respons es to our detailed questions and comments, which will enhance 
our understanding of Australian trade policy.  
4.121.   At the outset I want to convey the support and sympathies of the United States to our 
Australian friends and colleagues as they continue to deal wit h the impact of the tragic bushfires 
that swept the nation. The United States stands firm with Australia, with unwavering friendship and 
as a key economic partner.  
4.122.   The United States commends Australia's sound macroeconomic policies, which have 
contributed to its strong economic performance over the past decade. The commercial ties between 
the United States and Australia are strong and continue to grow. This year marks the 15th 
anniversary of the U.S. -Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which entered into force in 2005. 
Our bilateral FTA has contributed to the growth in trade and investment between our two countries. 
We are pleased to highlight that our total two -way trade in goods and services has more than 
doubled since 2004, the year before the FTA enter ed into force, and our Agreement continues to 
foster deeper cooperation on other economic issues where we share common goals. We are further 
pleased to note that implementation of the Agreement continues to progress smoothly and that both 
sides remain comm itted to further enhancing trade ties.  
4.123.   We appreciate Australia's consistent leadership, resolve, and hard work in pursuing an 
ambitious outcome in the WTO fisheries subsidies negotiations. We also acknowledge the leadership 
role that Australia plays in WTO  institutional reform efforts, including efforts to improve WTO Member 
compliance with their notification obligations. Notably, Australia (along with the United States) is a 
co-sponsor of a draft General Council Decision, Procedures to Enhance Transparency  and Strengthen 
Notification Requests under WTO Agreements. We also appreciate Australia's leadership role in the 
Joint Statement Initiative on Digital Trade and we look forward to continuing our work toward an 
agreement that establishes high -standard comm itments on digital trade.  
4.124.   We also welcomed Australia's March 2019 announcement that Australia would not proceed 
with a unilateral digital services tax and instead focus its efforts on engaging in a multilateral 
process, including through the OECD.  
4.125.   Despite Australia's exceptionally  strong record, there are some areas where we see room for 
further improvements. We hope this Trade Policy Review will help draw Australia's attention to these 
areas where it can further liberalize its regime and enhance its competitiveness.  
4.126.   As a leading t rader of agricultural products, we urge the Australian government to ensure 
that its sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations and requirements  are consistent with the WTO 
SPS Agreement.  
4.127.   The Secretariat notes in its report that Australia has made severa l changes to its biosecurity 
system in order to modernize the regulatory framework and facilitate trade while managing risks 
from imported products. We welcome changes that reduce duplication, enable more efficient risk 
assessments, and make systemic impro vements to facilitate trade at the border, especially since 
recent changes in Australia's clearance process for certain imported agricultural products may 
disrupt and hinder imports. We look forward to continuing work with Australia to clarify the recent 
changes to Australia's SPS system, especially as Australia reforms its biosecurity system in a trade -
facilitative manner for all trading partners.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  4.128.   We also note that full access to the Australian market for U.S. beef, pork, and poultry remains 
a priority for  the United States. During Australia's last TPR, the Secretariat's report noted concerns 
by some countries that Australia's process of aligning its import policy on BSE with the World Animal 
Health Organization (OIE) standards has delayed the finalization of risk assessments for beef. While 
not mentioned in this report, we urge Australia to take into account existing international standards 
in the development of its regulations and import requirements for beef and other products.  
4.129.   With regard to intellectua l property (IP), we applaud Australia's acceptance of the Protocol 
amending the TRIPS Agreement during the review period and continued commitment to 
strengthening IP protection and enforcement. During this TPR, we are keen to learn more about 
Australia's I P protections for pharmaceuticals and implementation of recent amendments to its 
Copyright Act, as well as any further copyright reform measures.  
4.130.   Australia is one of the most dynamic and open economies in the world. As one of Australia's 
closest friends a nd allies, we share a strong common interest in its continued growth and prosperity. 
We look forward to continuing to work closely with Australia in the WTO as well as in bilateral and 
regional forums.  
JAPAN  
Introduction  
4.131.   First of all, I would like to expre ss my sincere appreciation for the dedicated efforts made by 
the Australian team headed by Mr. George Mina, First Assistant Secretary, Office of Trade 
Negotiations, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ambassador Frances Lisson, as well as 
the WTO S ecretariat in preparing the comprehensive reports for today’s review.  
4.132.   Last year marked the 30th anniversary of the TPR. Japan acknowledges and greatly 
appreciates the historical contribution of Australia to the TPR proces s as one of the original three 
Members of the TPR, and it gives us great pleasure to join this 8th TPR of Australia.  
4.133.   Also, Japan appreciates that Australia has contributed to upholding and strengthening the 
rule-based multilateral trading system through its active engagements in the WTO. In particular, 
Australia is leading several ongoing negotiations in the WTO, such as the services DR negotiation as 
well as the e -commerce negotiation that it has been co -convening with Japan and Singapore. We 
trust that Australia will make further contribut ions to our ongoing activities in the WTO in order to 
achieve positive outcomes at MC12 in June.  
Trade Policy  
4.134.   Despite the recent decline in its GDP growth, Australia has maintained the resilience of its 
economy for many years. This can be attributed to Australia’s open trade and investment regime to 
guard against protectionism. For example, Australia’s average app lied MFN tariff rate generally sits 
at the low level of 2.5%, and it is even lower for agricultural products than for other goods. Also, 
Australia provides its important agricultural sector with very limited support. Japan highly 
appreciates Australian pol icies such as these, and like other Asian countries, has developed a good 
strategic partnership with Australia. We have concluded our bilateral FTA, which entered into force 
in 2015, as well as the CPTPP, which entered into force in 2018, to further streng then our mutual 
economic relationship. Consequently, for Japan, Australia was the No. 3 country for imports and the 
No. 9 country for exports in 2018.  
4.135.   In addition, we welcome Australia’s participation in the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), 
with full i mplementation of commitments across all categories, as well as in the expansion of the 
Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and, recently, the Government Procurement Agreement 
(GPA). We are also really impressed by Australia’s remarkable record regarding  notifications, which 
represents strong commitment to enhancing the transparency of global trade.  
Areas to be improved  
4.136.   We believe there are, however, areas that Australia can improve on. In particular, Australia 
has introduced several new measures in the a reas of SPS and TBT. We understand the importance WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  of food safety and human health. However, we strongly believe that measures related to SPS and 
TBT will not constitute disguised restrictions on trade.  
4.137.   In addition, Australia has introduced a number of cha nges to the Goods and Services Tax 
(GST) regime. In particular, the regime has been extended to capture cross -border trade in digital 
products and services. We understand that the regime is to ensure a level playing field in the digital 
economy. We hope th at this regime will be operated in a way which will not create unnecessary 
barriers for trade of digital products and services and therefore not impair the significant benefits of 
digitalization.  
4.138.   Furthermore, we see great potential in Australia’s services industry considering the fact that 
it accounts for more than 72% of its GDP. By further facilitating its openness and fairness of the 
market, Australia can accordingly enhance its competitiveness of the services industry, which lead 
to continuous decreasin g of the deficit in trade in services. In particular, we recognize that tourism 
is one of the promising areas in Australia’s services industry. I myself would love to visit the country 
to enjoy its beautiful cities, landscapes and oceans.  
Conclusion  
4.139.   I woul d like to conclude my statement by expressing once again our appreciation for 
Australia’s efforts to promote the multilateral trading system.  
4.140.   We wish Australia a successful and productive TPR, and look forward to hearing of further 
progress regarding its t rade and investment policies at its next TPR.  
DOMINICAN  REPUBLIC  
4.141.   First of all, we would like to welcome the delegation of Australia, led by its head of delegation, 
Mr George Mina, as well as the Permanent Representative of Australia to the WTO, Her Excelle ncy 
Ambassador Frances Lisson, and other Members who are present today.  
4.142.   The Dominican Republic shares a close friendship and close trade links with Australia. Total 
trade between our countries has been growing in recent years. Our main exports to Australia are 
medical devices, electrical equipment and textiles; our main imports from Australia are animal and 
vegetable oils, meat, steel, paper, wine and medicines.  
4.143.   It is important to note that our country is now Australia's largest Caribbean island tr ading 
partner, with trade totalling USD 47.24 million in 2019, even though more than 17,000 km separate 
our two countries.  
4.144.   At this eighth trade policy review, we would like to congratulate Australia on its strong 
economic foundations, underpinned by an ope n and transparent economy that has enabled the 
country to experience significant, almost uninterrupted growth for the past 30 years.  
4.145.   Turning to the Australian economy, we note that, in the face of global economic challenges, 
GDP grew by 1.9% in the 2018 -19 period. While this figure is in line with the growth levels recorded 
by advanced economies over the same period, it is below the average annual growth of 2.6% that 
Australia reported between 2012 -13 and 2017 -18. 
4.146.   Australia has a diversified economy, with f lexible labour and goods markets, solid 
institutions, prudent macroeconomic policies and a flexible exchange rate system. It also benefits 
from abundant natural resources. Thanks to these factors, net internal flows of FDI to Australia for 
the period cover ed by this review averaged AUD 60 billion a year. Mining and quarrying received the 
largest share, but other dynamic sectors included manufacturing, financial services and insurance, 
and real estate.  
4.147.   Australia is a major investor abroad, with invested cap ital of more than AUD 695 billion in 
2018.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  4.148.   On trade policy, the Dominican Republic welcomes Australia's ratification of the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement in 2015 and its adoption of all the commitments under the Agreement since 
it came into force in Februar y 2017. Australia provided timely notification of its contact points for 
the exchange of information, measures on the use of customs brokers, links to relevant legislation 
and procedures, and information on its single window for foreign trade.  
4.149.   Our country  is carefully observing the development of the services sector in Australia, which 
now accounts for 72% of GDP and includes key sectors such as real estate, construction, finance 
and insurance, trade, and professional services. Similarly, Australia has bec ome a leading global 
exporter of education, tourism, medical, technical, scientific and other services. Total trade in 
services as a share of the Australian economy increased from 8.9% to 9.8% during the period under 
review.  
4.150.   The Dominican Republic notes A ustralia's efforts, as one of the original contracting parties 
of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and a founding member of the WTO, to promote a 
rules-based international trade regime in which disputes are settled in an orderly manner. At the 
same time, however, we would like to express our concern about certain measures adopted by 
Australia that restrict trade, and specifically those related to plain packaging for tobacco products.  
4.151.   Lastly, we would like to thank Australia for its timely respons e to the Dominican Republic's 
questions on various points contained in the report. We also acknowledge the Australian authorities' 
efforts and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them and to wish them every success 
in this trade policy revi ew and in the future.  
CHILE  
4.152.   We welcome the delegation of Australia, led by Mr George Mina, First Assistant Secretary of 
the Office of Trade Negotiations at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and 
commend the country for participating on ce again in this necessary exercise in transparency.  
4.153.   We also extend a warm welcome to the Permanent Representative of Australia, Ambassador 
Frances Lisson, and the excellent team of the Australian Permanent Mission to the WTO.  
4.154.   We are also grateful for the  presentation delivered by the Permanent Representative of the 
United Kingdom, Ambassador Julian Braithwaite, and for the excellent work by both the Secretariat 
and the Australian Government in preparing their respective reports.  
4.155.   Chile and Australia enjoy a relationship of trust and cooperation, as expressed through our 
many common positions on trade and policy and our shared values. Creating a more stable and 
predictable global economy is important to both Chile and Australia, and we value the contribution  
that the multilateral trading system can make to that end. We have worked together with Australia, 
and other stakeholders, to, inter alia , advance equal opportunities in all areas, encourage the 
participation of women in international trade, promote susta inable development, support small and 
medium -sized enterprises, and boost innovation, the digital economy and the mobility of persons.  
4.156.   Chile and Australia share the view that free and fair rules -based trade is an effective tool to 
boost jobs, prosperity an d people's well -being. At the same time, both countries maintain strong 
and active links through bilateral and sub -regional economic and trade agreements, which have 
enhanced growth and expansion opportunities for individuals and businesses. For the same r easons, 
we are active participants in APEC and the OECD, while Australia has been an Observer State of the 
Pacific Alliance since November 2012. Both countries aim to be gateways to our respective regions.  
4.157.   On the bilateral front, economic and trade relations between Chile and Australia are governed 
by the free trade agreement signed by both countries on 30 July 2008, which came into force on 
6 March 2009. The comprehensive agreement not only abolishes all ta riffs on trade between the 
two countries, but also regulates many different aspects of trade, with a special chapter on dispute 
settlement. Thanks to the agreement, our total bilateral trade grew to USD 506 million in 2019, 
up 5.2% on the previous year. In  2018, Australian direct investment in our country stood at 
USD 4,612  million, while Chilean investment in Australia totalled around USD 890 million.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  4.158.   Australia's economy has been a big success in recent decades thanks to the country's solid 
macroeconomic p olicy, structural reforms and raw materials boom. Today, it is one of the world's 
most developed and most open economies and was one of the top 10 exporters of agricultural 
products in 2018. Australia therefore sets a very interesting example for Chile.  
4.159.   Although the primary sector is still strong, we welcome the diversified economy, with 
services providing more than 72% of GDP. Furthermore, the flexible labour and product markets are 
supported by strong institutional arrangements, robust regulatory framewor ks, prudent 
macroeconomic policies, a flexible exchange rate regime, and a liberalized capital account. We also 
note with great interest the economic stimulus measures taken in the form of outlays on research 
and development.  
4.160.   Key trade facilitation measur es have included the "single window" and other tools to facilitate 
international trade. We also welcome efforts to simplify and streamline the regulatory regime, 
particularly to help small businesses. We were very interested to learn of the implementation of the 
Harper Review, which has led to the introduction of a number of legislative provisions aimed at 
improving how anti -competitive behaviour is addressed and promoting pro -competitive behaviour.  
4.161.   In agriculture, we note that support for the sector is lim ited in both countries, in line with 
one of the fundamental objectives of our membership of the Cairns Group. Another notable aspect 
for us is access to water – a major challenge for both countries. We are observing with interest the 
range of assistance me asures that Australia has adopted to address severe drought, including the 
Future Drought Fund.  
4.162.   The close and extensive trade relationship between Chile and Australia has led to reciprocal 
requests for information on regulatory issues and market access. T hese include Chile's interest in 
receiving a response from the competent authorities regarding the information sent by the Chilean 
Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) to the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water 
Resources in 2019 within the fr amework of Australia's pest risk analysis of Chilean -grown 
Hass avocados. We would also like to be updated on SAG's enquiries in 2018 into exporting live 
horses to Australia. In both cases, we thank Australia for the work they have already done and will 
continue to do.  
4.163.   Chile is keenly interested in Australia's National Energy Productivity Plan 2015 -30, which 
aims to ensure the more efficient use of energy, boost investment in innovation and energy resource 
development, and improve energy productivity by 40%  by 2030. A number of questions were raised 
in this regard, primarily regarding the production and marketing of hydrogen.  
4.164.   In addition to being a key player in the international trading system, Australia continues to 
strongly back a rules -based multilateral  trading system and, as such, it is a leading Member in the 
work of the WTO. It also actively promotes further trade liberalization in these difficult times for the 
global economy. These are the fundamental principles that we need to highlight.  
4.165.   For this re view, Chile formulated 19 questions relating to our interest in improving bilateral 
trade relations. We are grateful for the replies provided and we wish Australia a successful eighth 
trade policy review.  
CHINA 
4.166.   I warmly welcome the Australian delegation travelling a long way to Geneva.  
4.167.   Australian writer Adele Dumont wrote a novel " No Man is an Island ", which tells the stories 
of many different individuals in an Australian immigration detention. I like this book, in particular its 
title. "No Man  is an Island" is especially true in the age of economic globalization. Australia is not an 
island but a continent, both geographically and spiritually. Its economic success in the past decades 
owes a lot to its refusal of isolation, its efforts to welcome  and adapt to diverse cultures, its embrace 
of free trade, and its commitment to the rules -based multilateral trading system.  
4.168.   Australia has long been an advocator and supporter of the multilateral trading system. 
During this period under review, Australia  ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement, implemented 
the expansion of the Information Technology Agreement, and joined the Agreement on Government WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  Procurement. Moreover, Australia is also actively participating in discussions on e -commerce, 
investment f acilitation and services domestic regulation under relevant joint statement initiatives. 
Ambassador Lisson is one of the co -conveners of E -commerce JSI, and has made admirable 
contributions to the negotiations.  
4.169.   However, we regret to witness that the tide of protectionism in Australia is rising in the past 
few years, undermining the bilateral economic cooperation between China and Australia, in particular 
in the area of investment.  
4.170.   First, many Chinese investors are worried that Australia has gradually tight ened up its foreign 
investment review regime. The process of the review lacks transparency and relevant standards 
applied are often opaque. In particular, several investment projects proposed by Chinese enterprises 
were rejected recently, which seriously u ndermined the confidence of Chinese investors. As a result, 
Chinese investment in Australia kept decreasing, going down from  USD 4.03 billion in 2016 to 
USD 1.27 billion in 2019. This is a clear evidence of the damage caused by the protectionist 
measures o f Australia.  
4.171.   Second, Australia excluded Chinese telecommunication companies such as Huawei and ZTE 
from its 5G projects, and claimed that relevant measures were taken due to national security 
considerations. However, Australia failed to provide any concret e evidence on the potential risks of 
Chinese enterprises, and also did not clarify what specific standards Chinese enterprises are 
supposed to meet before undertaking projects in Australia.  
4.172.   Several years ago when I was in charge of Sino -Australia bilatera l economic cooperation in 
China, I once asked a senior Australian official, "what is your understanding of national security after 
all". And his answer was  "I cannot tell you, otherwise I will not be secure" . Obviously, I was not 
satisfied with his answer.   
4.173.   WTO Members shall be very cautious when invoking national security exception, and shall 
base the decisions on concrete facts and evidence. People often talk about the relationship between 
political independence and economic liberalism, and in my view, ke eping policy independent is the 
precondition for a liberal policy. I hope Australia could make truly independent and rational decisions 
regarding its own national security, and continue to keep its door open to the rest of the world 
including China.  
4.174.   This year marks the fifth anniversary of the coming into force of China -Australia FTA. It is 
my honor to be the first chief negotiator of China for this FTA, and Ambassador Lisson was also a 
lead negotiator of Australia by then. We are pleased to see the r apid growth of the bilateral trade 
since the signing of this FTA. Bilateral trade in goods reached 169.62 billion USD in 2019, increased 
by nearly 70% since 2015 when the FTA came into force. Australia also trained many Chinese trade 
negotiators through te chnical cooperation programs, and my right hand Madame LI Yihong is one of 
them. We are deeply grateful for this. What my colleagues learnt then in Adelaide University was 
how to build bridges to enhance international cooperation, rather than creating isol ated islands. 
China looks forward to working with Australia with a view to upholding the multilateral trading 
system, and promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation globally.  
MEXICO 
4.175.   Mexico warmly welcomes the delegation of Australia, l ed by Mr George Mina, the 
First Assistant Secretary of the Office of Trade Negotiations. My delegation would also like to thank 
Ambassador Julian Braithwaite for his timely analysis.  
4.176.   I would like to take this opportunity to highlight and acknowledge the ha rd work carried out 
by the Australian Permanent Mission, led by Ambassador Frances Lisson, as well as the Australian 
Government's commitment to the multilateral trading system, as evidenced by the country's 
leadership and active participation in joint init iatives, particularly that on e -commerce. Lastly, I 
would like to thank the WTO Secretariat for preparing its report.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  Bilateral trade relations  
4.177.   During the review period, Mexico and Australia's bilateral relationship was reinforced by the 
conclusion of the CPTPP, an agreement that has far -reaching trade disciplines that will 
unquestionably enable us to continue strengthening our integration and trade relationship, and will 
provide us with more tools to tackle the current trade challenges that the internation al economic 
environment is placing before us.  
General economic conditions  
4.178.   Promoting an open economy that is focused on foreign trade has doubtless been key to 
Australia's continuous economic growth over almost thirty years, enabling it to maintain a firm 
foothold among the world's largest economies. Its sound macroeconomic management and adequate 
regulatory frameworks have enabled it to weather the recent crises and steer clear of protectionism, 
demonstrating its economic resilience during the review period .  
4.179.   Nevertheless, as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has pointed out, short - and medium -
term economic growth is exposed to significant external and internal risk. The government therefore 
needs to be prudent, in view of the following challenges:  
i. Reliance on exports of Australian goods and services to China, owing to the contraction in 
demand and Chinese economic growth; recent trade tensions and aftermath of the 
COVID -19 epidemic.  
 
ii. Sources of vulnerability such as the current housing market, slow incom e growth and 
persistently weak domestic consumption.  
 
iii. A potential increase in adverse weather events due to climate change, which would affect 
agriculture, one of the country's main sectors.  
 
iv. Continuing to improve productivity. We are confident that the measures implemented, such 
as spending on infrastructure, support for small and medium -sized enterprises (SMEs) and 
promoting research and development, are a step in the right direction.  
 
Trade  policy  
4.180.   We commend Australia's trade policy, which seeks to diversify the country's international 
trade and foreign direct investment to promote a global economy that is more open, more 
competitive and based on international standards.  
4.181.   We also acknowledge  Australia's active participation in the ongoing WTO negotiations and 
its interest in modernizing the rules, to find innovative ways of rising to 21st century challenges and 
to address long -standing and sensitive areas such as those covered by the negotiat ions on 
agriculture.  
Trade in goods  
4.182.   We note the growing share of the Asian market as the destination for more than 84% of 
Australia's goods exports, and the origin of more than 62% of its imports. The reliance on mineral 
product exports, accounting for 60%  of total exports, is also worth noting.  
4.183.   Unlike other developed Members, the level of protection is higher for industrial products than 
for agricultural products, while 5% of non -agricultural tariff lines remain unbound. We welcome 
Australia's efforts to l iberalize trade in goods, which has led to Most Favoured Nation (MFN) duty -free 
conditions for approximately half of the tariff lines, while the others remain at a tariff of 5%.  
4.184.   We note the legislative changes with respect to sanitary and phytosanitary mea sures, and 
hope that, through the regulated processes, the review of existing trade and risk analyses will 
improve the conditions in which such measures are applied and will address the delays that were 
subject to criticism during Australia's previous revi ew. WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  Trade in services  
4.185.   We are aware that the service sector is a mainstay of the Australian economy, accounting 
for more than 72% of GDP. Regarding the financial sector, we note the high concentration of the 
banking system, with four banks deemed systemically important, accounting for approximately 80% 
of the sector's assets. We hope that the recommendations in the Royal Commission's 2019 report 
can be successfully turned into measures that prevent any further dishonest conduct in the insurance 
subsector.  
Close  
4.186.   Lastly, I should like to thank Australia for its replies to my delegation's questions and wish 
it every success in this review.  
UNITED  KINGDOM  
4.187.   Thank you Chairperson and I am pleased to add my welcome to the deleg ation of Australia. 
Australia is a country very close to my own heart, not least, as I benefited from Australia’s Mode -4 
services regime, spending two years in Sydney on a business long stay visa in the early 2000s, and 
I continue to have many friends across Australia.  
4.188.   The United Kingd om would like to thank Australia for its timely resp onses to our written 
questions.  The United Kingdom places great importance on the TPR process and applauds Australia 
on its transparent trade regime.  
4.189.   We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate  Australia on 28 years of continuous 
economic growth, which we believe is a testament to the successful cultivation of a resilient 
economy, based on open trade.   
4.190.   The United Kingdom enjoys a close bilateral relationship with Austral ia and enduring 
economic ties. Trade between the United Kingdom and Australia was worth over £18 billion in the 
year to September 2019, more than half of this in services. Investment continues to be strong in 
both directions. The United Kingdom is Australi a’s third -largest source of direct investment and the 
second -largest destination for Australian foreign direct investment.  
4.191.   This trading relationship extends to close cooperation across the WTO and the United 
Nations, and we wish to express our sincere appr eciation for Australia’s active role and support for 
the rules -based multilateral trading system.  
4.192.   In particular, we commend  Australia’s efforts to moderniz e the WTO and support the Joint 
Initiative discussions on both Domestic Regulation in Services and E -Commerce, and we look forward 
to making progress with Australia in these discussions.  
4.193.   We also welcome Australia’s work to support female economic empowerment, including 
through the G20 platform and note Australia’s response to our submitted question whic h outlines 
available opportunities for businesses owned by women.  
4.194.   Our advance questions sought clarifications on a number of policy areas and programmes 
that assist small and medium -sized enterprise s in accessing global markets. In 2018, 88% of UK 
goods ex porters to Australia were SMEs; and 87% of Australian merchandise exporters were SMEs.  
4.195.   We therefore applaud Australia’s commitment to regulatory transparency and reform in order 
to minimize the burden for SMEs. We note with interest programmes such as Australia’s SME Export 
Hubs Initiative and are keen to strengthen our partnership by collaborating with Australia on the 
challenges faced by our SMEs.  
4.196.   Recalling Australia’s efforts in recent years at comprehensive tax reform, we would like to 
take this opp ortunity to encourage Australia to reconsider their approach to domestic taxes that 
disproportionately affect imports, such as the Luxury Car Tax and Alcohol Excise Duty.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  4.197.   We hope to see the UK -Australia relationship strengthened furthe r in the future. The UK is 
committed to negotiating and securing an ambitious free trade deal with Australia as soon as 
possible, harnessing the opportunities for both our citizens from deeper economic and trade 
engagement.   
4.198.   And the United Kingdom’s ties to Australia go beyo nd trade. Our relationship is underpinned 
by our shared heritage and values, and we are partners on a range of issues such as international 
security, multilateral cooperation and economic issues.   
4.199.   We congratulate Australia on its economic success and we l ook forward to continuing to work 
closely with Australia in the WTO and more widely.  
UKRAINE  
4.200.   On behalf of the d elegation of Ukraine, I would lik e to welcome the distinguished d elegation 
of Australia led by Mr. George Mina  and the Permanent Representative of Australia to the WTO , Her 
Excellency  Ms. Frances Lisson  and express our appreciation  to the d elegation of Australi a for their 
comprehensive Government r eport.  
4.201.   We would also like to acknowledge the WTO Secretariat's work and efforts put in the 
preparation of its Report and thoughtful presentation made today by the discussant  H.E. J ulian 
Braithwaite . 
4.202.   Ukraine values its  cooperation with Australia on different trade issues of mutual interest and 
appreciates Australia's active participation across a range of topics at the WTO, including services, 
domestic regulation, electronic commerce, investment facilitation and agricul ture. 
4.203.   In this regard, we would like to acknowledge the role of Australia as a coordinator of Cairns 
Group and its efforts in moving the agricultural negotiations forward. Ukraine, as recently joined 
observer to the Group, realizes the challenges we face in  the month leading to MC12 and remains 
committed to work together with Australia and other WTO members to achieve substantial progress 
on market  access, domestic support, as well as other pillars and level the playing field 
for international trade in agric ultural products.  
4.204.   The trade and economic relations between Ukraine and Australia demonstrates the prospects 
for the further development of cooperation. Bilaterally the total turnover in  goods and services in 
2019 amounted to around USD 151 million.  
4.205.   Ukrain e sees great potential for further development of bilateral cooperation and hopes to 
strengthen our bilateral ties regardless of the distance.  
4.206.   Within this TPR exercise, Ukraine has submitted a number of specific questions on a range 
of the following topics:  
• Preferential trade.  
• Investment regime.  
• Export support and promotion . 
• Sanitary and phytosanitary requirements . 
• Intellectual property rights.  
• Agriculture and Fisheries . 
• Manufacturing policy . 
• Financial services . 
• Development of the digital economy.  
 
4.207.   I would like to express our gratitude for the responses provided to our questions and 
especially for the replies to questions on Australia's System of Tariff Preferences (ASTP), which we 
are reviewing thoroughly.  
4.208.   Finally, we wish Australia a successful 8th TPR and look forward to further strengthening of 
our bilateral relations.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  SINGAPORE  
4.209.   The Singapore delegation warmly welcomes Mr George Mina, First Assistant Secretary of the 
Office of Trade Negotiations in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and his delegation to 
Geneva. We than k Australia for its Government report and s tatement.  We also thank the TPRB Chair , 
Ambassador Manuel Teehankee, the Secretariat, and the discussant, Ambassador  Julian  Braithwaite, 
for their insightful perspectives.  
4.210.   Singapore applauds Australia for its firm commitment in upholding the rules -based 
multilater al trading system. This is especially important during these challenging times and 
Australia's contributions towards strengthening all three pillars of the WTO are laudable.  
• First, Australia has made significant contribution towards updating the WTO's rul e-book.  Its 
leadership role in the Cairns Group has served to move forward agriculture negotiations at 
the WTO over the years. Australia is also a strong supporter of the Joint Statement Initiatives 
(JSIs). In particular, I have the pleasure of working clo sely on the JSI on E -Commerce, with 
Ambassador Frances Lisson as well as Japanese Ambassador Kazuyuki Yamazaki. We are 
pleased that this initiative is on track towards achieving "substantive progress" at MC12. 
Additionally, Australia has been an active pro ponent of the JSI on Domestic Regulation (DR) 
and Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD), which are also on course to produce 
deliverables at MC12.  
 
• Second , in the regular committees, Australia continues to be a strong proponent of efforts 
to enhan ce transparency, including by improving compliance with notification obligations in 
the WTO. This is another area where Singapore and Australia share similar concerns and 
enjoy close cooperation. Both Singapore and Australia, together with 18 Members, are co-
sponsors of the draft General Council decision on " Procedural Guidelines for WTO Councils 
and Committees Addressing Trade Concerns" . This proposal suggests new procedural 
guidelines to allow WTO Councils and Committees to address trade concerns more 
effectively, which in turn, will promote better dialogue among Members.  
 
• Third, Australia continues to be a constructive voice in discussions related to dispute 
settlement. Here again, Australia and Singapore are similarly committed to maintaining the 
two-tier dispute settlement mechanism (DSM). Hence, Australia and Singapore, together 
with several other Members, have co -sponsored the Davos Ministerial Statement on the 
Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement, and discussions are ongoing to finalise  
work on such an arrangement.   
 
4.211.   As we work to strengthen and uphold the rules -based multilateral trading system, we 
encourage Australia to continue to resist protectionism and keep its market open. In this regard, we 
note from the Secretariat report that Australia is an active user of anti -dumping and countervailing 
measures. It has imposed 37 new anti -dumping measures since 2014, while at the end of 2018, 
83 anti-dumping measures were in force, up from 23 in June 2010. Steel products account for more 
than 50% of the measures in force. We encourage Australia to use trade remedies prudently going 
forward.  
4.212.   On the bilateral front, Singapore and Australia enjoy strong and comprehensive bilateral 
relations that have grown from strength to strength.  
• One, in the area of trade, Australia was Singapore's 11th largest trading partner in 2019, 
with bilateral trade amounting to USD 17.3 billion.  
 
• Two, outbound and inbound investments between the two countries continue to grow at a 
steady pace. As of end -2018, Singapor e was Australia's 6th largest foreign investor with FDI 
of USD 56.7 billion while Australia's FDI into Singapore increased 10.8% to USD13.6 billion 
in 2018.  
 
• Three , Singapore and Australia close ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic 
Partnership (CSP) in 2015. After extensive negotiations, the Comprehensive Strategic 
Partnership was signed by PM Lee Hsien Loong and then -Australian PM Tony Abbott on 
29 June 2015, during his official visit to Singapore to commemorate the 50th anniversary  of 
the establishment of bilateral relations. This initiative comprises a Joint Declaration and a WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  10-year roadmap titled "Project 2025", that covers collaboration in a wide range of areas 
from defence to trade.  
4.213.   To conclude, Singapore looks forward to cont inuing to strengthen our cooperation with 
Australia, both on the multilateral and the bilateral fronts. We wish Australia every success for this 
TPR. 
SINGAPORE  ON BEHALF  OF ASEAN  
4.214.   ASEAN and Australia have, through the years, enjoyed strong engagement in a r ange of 
areas, including security, culture, trade, education and development. The cooperation between 
ASEAN and Australia is guided by the ASEAN -Australia Strategic Partnership and the Plan of Action 
for the period of 2020 -2024, which was adopted in 2019 a t the Post Ministerial Conferences (PMC+1) 
in Bangkok, Thailand. The Plan of Action will further enhance ASEAN -Australia cooperation in all 
dimensions over the next five years.  
4.215.   Economic and trade relations between ASEAN and Australia steadily expanded in t he past 
years. Two -way merchandise trade between ASEAN an d Australia valued at around USD  66.2 billion 
in 2018, making ASEAN Australia's third -largest trading partner. FDI from Aust ralia to ASEAN 
reached USD 28.0 billion in 2018, making Australia ASEAN's s eventh largest source of FDI.  
4.216.   The ASEAN -Australia -New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), which has been 
implemented since 1 January 2010, is one of ASEAN's most comprehensive economic agreements 
to date. This agreement has contributed significantly t o integrating Australia's economy into the 
ASEAN's. As noted in the Secretariat's report, the tariff -free treatment for over 96% of Australia's 
exports to ASEAN Member States is anticipated this year.  
4.217.   We believe that AANZFTA will provide a solid base for closer economic relations and serve 
as building blocks to strengthen the multilateral trading system.  
4.218.   We appreciate the AANZFTA Economic Cooperation Support Programme (AECSP), which 
continues to support economic cooperation activities and long -term project s. These ensure the FTA 
implementation to achieve broad economic integra tion and improve business utiliz ation. Moreover, 
we welcome Australia's support to Developing and Least Developed Member States in their 
integration process to the Multilateral Trading  System through the Aid for Trade Program.  
4.219.   ASEAN is appreciative that Australia is an active and important member of the WTO, 
constructively participating in all areas of negotiations and the implementation of outcomes. 
Moreover, Australia holds a strong record of providing notifications to the WTO. We highly commend 
Australia for its contributions and commitment to WTO reform.  
4.220.   Finally, ASEAN looks forward to its continued positive engagement with Australia, as it will 
strengthen our bilateral relations as  well as the broader multilateral trading system. ASEAN would 
particularly like to thank Ambassador Frances LISSON and her delegation for their tireless efforts 
and constructive engagement with delegations, including individual ASEAN members, here in 
Genev a. ASEAN will continue to work closely with the delegation of Australia along with other 
Members towards a successful outcome for MC12.  
4.221.   ASEAN expresses our appreciation to Australia for its written responses to the questions 
submitted by some ASEAN Members . We wish Australia every success in their eighth Trade Policy 
Review.  
INDIA  
4.222.   I would like to welcome the Australian delegation led by the Mr. George Mina, First Assistant 
Secretary, Office of Trade Negotiations, for the Trade Policy Review. Let me also tak e this opportunity 
to congratulate the Australian women's cricket team for their splendid victory against India in the 
T-20 world cup finals. The finals match played for 86,000 people on International Women's Day is a 
big boost to women's sports in general  and a fitting feat to the millions of women in sports across 
the world. I would like to also thank the Government of Australia and the Secretariat for the excellent WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  reports prepared for the review and Ambassador Julian Braithwaite of United Kingdom for hi s 
insightful comments as a discussant.  
4.223.   India and Australia enjoy a close and multi -faceted partnership, underpinned by 
complementarities of our two economies, growing bilateral trade and investment flows and 
expanding people to people linkages. Both are st rong, vibrant and multi -cultural democracies. These 
mutual complementarities and shared values provide a solid basis for greater cooperation and 
strengthening of bilateral linkages in diverse areas. The relationship has undergone considerable 
evolution in recent years, with its elevation to the level of a "Strategic Partnership" and our growing 
cooperation in the Indo -Pacific region, both under the bilateral and plurilateral formats.  
4.224.   The India -Australia economic relationship has also strengthened significan tly in recent years. 
The bilateral trade in goods and s ervices was US$ 19 billion (AUD  29 billion) in 2017 -18 with India 
being the 5th largest trading partner of Australia. However,  with Indian exports at USD 5 billion 
(AUD  8 billion) and imports at USD 14  billion (AUD  21 billion), the bilateral trade is in favour of 
Australia and we hope that we can balance this trade while maintaining its overall positive direction.  
4.225.   Besides bilateral trade, two -way investments, particularly Indian investments to Australia , 
have grown in recent years. Several Indian firms have made investments in Australia and all the 
major Indian IT companies have a presence in Australia. We remain highly positive over the 
prospects for expanding our trade and economic ties in the coming y ears. The negotiations for a 
Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), launched in 2011 remains stalled. We are 
engaged with our Australian counterparts on this matter and remain hopeful of an early restart of 
the negotiations. We believe that t he bilateral CECA would open up new opportunities for trade and 
investments for mutual benefit.  
4.226.   I wish to highlight some of the trade policy measures, which we feel remain critical to 
unlocking the immense bilateral trade potential. We hope for reductions in the applied tariffs in 
apparel and certain textile products – a sector where Australia has traditionally maintained high 
tariffs. Our exporters also continue to face market access barriers due to the SPS measures for 
certain agriculture products. We urg e the Australian authorities to review the current framework for 
technical regulations and SPS measures, including MRLs for certain chemicals and herbicides, to 
ensure that these are in line with relevant international standards and that the regulatory fra mework 
is not unduly burdensome to exporters. We also note from the Secretariat's report that Australia is 
a significant user of anti -dumping and countervailing measures and we urge that these measures 
follow transparent, independent and objective investig ation process, to avoid injury to genuine 
exporters.  
4.227.   We are also concerned over the recent measures by the Australian government on temporary 
movement of skilled professionals, which we believe adversely impacts our otherwise growing trade 
in services. The abolishing of Subclass 457 visa category and its replacement with subclass 482 visa 
category, imposes additional burden, higher threshold limits and its consistency with Australia's 
GATS commitments remains doubtful. We had posed a number of advance writt en questions to 
Australia on this issue and other issues of concern and thank the Australian delegation for their 
responses, which we will carefully review.  
4.228.   We recognize the role played by Australia in the WTO. Both our countries have a shared 
interest in a strong and effective multilateral trading system and we look forward to working with 
Ambassador Ms. Frances Lisson and her team in ensuring balanced outcomes in the ongoing 
negotiations and positive outcomes at MC  12. 
4.229.   I would like to wish Australia a successful Trade Policy Review.  
INDONESIA  
4.230.   Thank you Chair, and thank you Mr. Julian Braithwaite, as discussant, for your focus and 
comprehensive analysis.  
4.231.   First and foremost, Indonesia would like to congratulate First Assistant Secretary, Offic e of 
Trade Negotiations, Mr George Mina and the delegation of Australia for their eight Trade Policy 
Review this year.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  4.232.   Indonesia views this occasion as an important platform to tighten longstanding bilateral trade 
relation between Indonesia and Australia, as well as to add value to the recently ratified Indonesia -
Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement or IA -CEPA. Indonesia believes that the 
IA-CEPA would benefit both sides, especially to increase and expand two ways trade, which at this 
mome nt only account for around two percent of Indonesia’s trade with the world.  
4.233.   Indonesia places high expectation on the IA -CEPA to narrow, if not eliminate, Indonesia’s 
trade deficits to Australia which in 2018 recorded for USD 3 billion. This among others th rough 
increasing market access for Indonesia products including automotive, textile, rubber, furni ture, 
electronics, paper, food and  beverages, and foster the development of creative industry and e -
commerce. Moreover, we believe that the IA -CEPA could gene rate opportunities for Indonesia’s 
service and investment sector, as well as increasing human resources capacity through education 
cooperation.  
4.234.   In general, Indonesia’s bilateral trade with Australia shows an upward trend during the period 
of 2016 to 2018. In 2018, total trade accounts for USD 8.6 billion or an increase of 1.3% from the 
previous year. However, if we compare the 2018 figures with 20 15, we see a slight decrease of 
1.45%. The latest numbers that we have, even showing a decrease of 9.33% in total trade from 
2018 to 2019. With this fact, Indonesia hopes that bilateral trade between the two countries could 
be further improved in the near future.  
4.235.   Indonesia appreciates Australia’s responds to our written inquiries. Nonetheless, our high 
expectation for Indonesia -Australia future trade -relation, under the umbrella of IA -CEPA, should not 
be undermined by unnecessary measures that may hinder ou r target to boost the trade.  
4.236.   In this regard, Indonesia would like to highlight some measures that may contra -productive 
to our effort in deepening and expanding our trade, including among others:  
i. On trade remedies, Indonesia is of the view that Australia needs to further clarify its anti -
dumping laws and application after the amendment of regulation on trade remedy.  
 
ii. On non -tariff measures, we urge Australia to ensure that its SPS requirements meet the 
science and risk -based assessment, in particular to ou r horticultural and tropical fruit 
products. Concerning its technical regulation, we are of the view that some measures taken 
by Australia in labelling and logo could potentially lead to national treatment.  
 
4.237.   As immediate neighbour which  share a unique bond  and deep historical ties, Indonesia will 
always seek ways to enhance its cooperation with Australia in all sectors. Through comprehensive 
strategic partnership, we underline the need to energize trade, investment and business relations, 
to advance our str ategic cooperation, to forge deeper engagement between our communities and 
cultures and to build greater links between the young people of our countries.   
4.238.   In this note, Indonesia wishes the Australian delegation a success in the remaining phase of 
this Tra de Policy R eview, and a safe trip home.  
RUSSIAN  FEDERATION  
4.239.   I would like to extend a warm welcome to the delegation of Australia. We appreciate the 
comprehensive reports by the Australian Government and the Secretariat. Our thanks also go to the 
discussant,  H.E. Mr. Julian Braithwaite, for his thoughtful remarks. We hope that this TPR would 
contribute significantly to the transparency of the Australian trade regime.  
4.240.   We would like to congratulate the Government of Australia for carrying out an effective trade  
and investment policy that contributed to almost 30 years of uninterrupted economic growth. 
Australian economy demonstrated an impressive resilience withstanding a number of external 
economic shocks. We express our support and wish success to Australian G overnment in overcoming 
the consequences of the devastating bushfires tragedy in 2019.  
4.241.   Over the years, the Russian Federation and Australia have been developing bilateral 
economic cooperation in many areas, including trade and investment, energy sector, n atural WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  resource extraction and technological innovations. During the review period, our trade turnover 
showed a slight upward trend, amounting to USD 812 million in 2018.  
4.242.   However, we believe that the trade potential between our countries remains largely u ntapped 
due to non -economic reasons. Russia remains deeply concerned with a number of unilateral 
restrictive measures imposed by Canberra, which lead to mutual economic, trade and investment 
losses. We reiterate our request to Australia to withdraw all unf ounded restrictions, which negatively 
affect our bilateral trade.  
4.243.   We see mutually beneficial  and equitable trade as an effective and constructive tool not only 
for the promotion of peace and development, but also for the promotion of dialogue and respect, 
which are essential in these turbulent times.  
4.244.   The Russian Federation has submitted a number of written questions in relation to the 
Australian sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.  We thank the Government of Australia for 
comprehensive answers.  
4.245.   In concl usion, we would like to thank you, Mr. Chairman, the delegation of Aust ralia, the 
Secretariat and the d iscussant, for the impressive work done so far and wish Australia a successful 
Trade Policy Review.  
ICELAND  
4.246.   Iceland would like to welcome the distinguish ed delegatio n of Australia to their eighth T rade 
Policy R eview and would like to express appreciation to the WTO Secretariat, as well as to Australia, 
for the reports prepared, as well as to the discussant, Ambassador Braithwaite, for his excellent 
framing  of the issues for our discussion today.  
4.247.   Despite the geographical distance, Iceland and Australia are like -minded partners enjoying 
excellent cooperation in various international fora and sharing commitments to promoting a rule -
based multilateral system.  
4.248.   Iceland and Australia share common interest in the elimination of harmful subsidies in the 
fisheries sector and Australia is a strong supporter of developing enhanced fisheries subsidies 
disciplines in the WTO. Iceland congratulates Australia for its commi tment and active work in the 
field of fisheries subsidies within the WTO.  
4.249.   Australia played an active role in championing the Joint Declaration on Trade and Women's 
Economic Empowerment and is an active member of the Trade Impact Working Group, that is co -
chaired by Botswana, Iceland and the ITC.  
4.250.   Furthermore, Australia is one of the members that have voluntary started to integrate 
information on their gender -responsive trade policies in the Trade Policy Review process. Iceland 
submitted advance written questions on the participation of women in the  economy of Australia and 
thanks Australia for the information provided. The answers are very useful for the implementation 
of the Joint Declaration on Trade and Women's Economic Empowerment and for gathering best 
practices.  
4.251.   Iceland appreciates Australia's  active engagement in WTO and their continued support for 
the multilateral trading system. We wish the delegation of Aus tralia every success for their Trade 
Policy R eview.  
MALAYSIA  
4.252.   Malaysia is pleased to take part in the 8th Trade Policy Review of Australi a. We deemed that 
this Review is important as Malaysia and Australia has fostered strong and complementary economic 
ties.  
4.253.   We would like to extend a warm welcome to Mr. George Mina, First Assistant Secretary, 
Office of Trade Negotiations and his delegation . We also thank the Secretariat for their effort in WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  preparing comprehensive review reports, and the discussant, H.E. Julian Braithwaite of the UK for 
his insightful comments.  
4.254.   In 2019, Australia was Malaysia's 13th largest trading partner with Australia -Malaysia 
bilateral trade recorded a total amount of USD  12.48 billion. Imports  from Australia into Malaysia 
increased by 7.9% to USD  5.6 billion (2019) from USD  5.3 billion (2018). However, we note that 
there is a significant decrease in the total exports fro m Malaysia to Australia from USD  8.3billion in 
2018 to USD 6.9 billion . Malaysia looks forward to work together to increase the value of trade 
between both economies in the future.  
4.255.   Crude petroleum and petroleum products constitute Malaysia's largest export s to Australia 
(41.2%), followed by electrical and electronic products (15.6%), manufactures of metal (4.5%) and 
manufactures of plastics (4.0%). Major imports from Australia were manufactures of metal (19.8%), 
liquefied natural gas (15.4%), other mining ( 13.8%), metalliferous ores and metal scrap (12.3%) 
and other agricultures (9.3%).  
4.256.   Bilateral investment also continues to flow. As of December 2019 , a total 350 Australian 
investments  in the manufacturing sector have been implemented with total investment worth 
USD 866.5 million  which created 22,626 employment opportunities .  
4.257.   At the multilateral front, we commend Australia's substantial efforts  in adhering to the 
various WTO agreements  since its last TPR in 2015. Australia's ratification of the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement  (TFA) and the expansion of the Information Technology Agreement  (ITA-2), as well as 
its assistance given to the developing and least -developed countries (LDCs) in imp lementing these 
agreements, have significantly contributed to the goal of reducing tariffs and facilitating trade among 
the WTO Members.  
4.258.   We also appreciate Australia's active participation and contribution in supporting the 
development of new issues by cha iring the discussions under the Joint Statement on Electronic 
Commerce and co -sponsoring the Joint Statement on Investment Facilitation for Development and 
the Joint Statement on MSMEs. Malaysia applauds Australia's efforts in advocating for WTO reform 
and modernization , which will bolster confidence for the continued relevance of the rules -based 
multilateral trading order.  
4.259.   On FTAs, Malaysia welcomes continuous regional economic integration efforts through 
various bilateral and regional initiatives such as  the Malaysia -Australia Free Trade Agreement  
(MAFTA), the ASEAN -Australia -New Zealand Free Trade Agreement  (AANZFTA) and the Regional 
Comprehensive Economic Partnership  (RCEP).  
4.260.   For this current review, Malaysia had submitted written questions on areas such  as 
Australia's sanitary and phytosanitary requirement , export restriction , tax reform  and investment 
regime .  
4.261.   We would like to thank Australia for the responses and we shall examine the responses with 
great interest. We wish the Australian delegation a pr oductive and successful TPR.  
NEW  ZEALAND  
4.262.   New Zealand is pleased to participate in this trade policy review of Australia.  
4.263.   For almost 40 years, New  Zealand and Australia have pursued one of the world's most 
ambitious economic integration projects, resulting  in virtually free movement of goods, services, 
capital and people. Australia is our second largest two -way trading partner and our large destination 
for and source of overseas investment. 75% of New Zealand businesses derive income from Australia 
and 92% of all businesses who export to Australia are small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In 
turn, 18,500 Australian businesses export to New  Zealand, making us by far the largest market for 
Australian SMEs.  
4.264.   The Australia New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Tra de Agreement, underpins this close 
trade and economic relationship. The Trans -Tasman Travel Arrangement provides a single labour 
market and access to a larger pool of skills, talents and ideas.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  4.265.   Since 2004, the Single Economic Market (SEM) agenda has drive n further trans -Tasman 
economic integration and it continues to provide opportunities to drive growth in both economies.  
4.266.   We share Australia's view that we need to safeguard and strengthen the WTO, in a global 
trading environment that threatens the rules -based trading system, increases instability in global 
markets, and challenges the rule of law. We commend Australia's leadership of the WTO e -commerce 
JSI negotiations and active cooperation with us on issues such as services domestic regulation.  
4.267.   We welcome Australia's commitment to a rules -based  and market -oriented agricultural 
trading system, particularly as agriculture remains a highly distorted area of international trade.  We 
are grateful for Australia's work as Chair of the Cairns Group, includin g working towards an outcome 
from MC12 on disciplines to limit trade - and production -distorting agricultural domestic subsidies.  
4.268.   Together we are also committed to seeking an ambitious and comprehensive outcome on 
fisheries subsidies by the 12th WTO Minist erial Conference in June.  
4.269.   Complementing our bilateral and multilateral efforts we are also active together in regional 
settings. Since Australia's last trade policy review, New Zealand and Australia have worked closely 
to conclude the Comprehensive and Pr ogressive Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Regional 
Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic 
Relations (PACER Plus).  
4.270.   I would like to emphasiz e the value we place on the exceptionally close working relat ionship 
New Zealand enjoys with Australia as we seek to progress our wide range of multilateral, regional 
and bilateral initiatives.  
PERU 
4.271.   The delegation of Peru extends its cordial greetings to everyone present, in particular to the 
delegation of Australi a, and to Mr George Mina, First Assistant Secretary of the Office of Trade 
Negotiations, who is leading the delegation, and Ambassador Frances Lisson, Australia's Permanent 
Representative to the WTO.  
4.272.   We should like to thank Australia's head of delegation for the detailed report on his country's 
trade policies, as well as Ambassador Julian Braithwaite, Permanent Representative of the 
United  Kingdom, for his valuable observations as discussant. Likewise, we greatly appreciate your 
dedication, Mr Chair, and t he work done by the Secretariat for this review.  
4.273.   Peru is pleased to take part in this exercise by making a number of comments on the 
economic and trade system of Australia, a WTO Member with whom we have an important bilateral 
relationship, since we cooper ate on a variety of issues on the international agenda.  
4.274.   Firstly, Peru notes, from the report by the Secretariat, a number of  positive developments 
in the Australian economy, notably the high employment level, diversification of production, 
continued attraction of foreign investment and prudent management of key macroeconomic factors. 
The information provided on Australian polic ies to further trade in services, competition policy, the 
digital economy and e -government is equally interesting.  
4.275.   The reports also reveal Australia's deep involvement in the WTO's various areas of work, as 
evidenced in this Organization's daily activities . Accordingly, we commend the commitment and 
dedication of Ambassador Frances Lisson and her colleagues at the Permanent Mission in Geneva. 
Peru endorses Australia's numerous efforts to achieve tangible outcomes in this Organization's 
various negotiations and initiatives and to safeguard the relevance and effectiveness of its dispute 
settlement mechanism. We work together on a number of topics of great relevance to this 
Organization, in support of greater liberalization and participation in international tr ade, understood 
to be factors favourable to development. These topics include agriculture, as part of the Cairns 
Group, and the search for solutions to the fisheries subsidies problem, as part of the "Friends of 
Fish" group. We have also been working toget her frequently to ensure an outcome on domestic 
regulation of services at the next Ministerial Conference. In addition, we are investigating the scope 
within the WTO for continuing to work for women's economic empowerment through trade.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  4.276.   Furthermore, our jo int work is carried out not only within the framework of the WTO, but 
also within other organizations with economic objectives, such as the Asia -Pacific Economic 
Cooperation forum (APEC) and the Pacific Alliance.  
4.277.   Australian trade policy in connection with regional trade agreements is another topic of 
interest. Indeed, the reports prepared for this review illustrate Australia's dynamism in this area 
during the review period. Naturally, Peru is pleased to highlight the successful conclusion of the free 
trade agreement between Peru and Australia which entered into force only a few weeks ago, in 
February 2020. Like Australia, we believe that this agreement is not only important for market 
access, but also for driving investment, protecting intellectual property , promoting trade in services 
and working on development, among other matters. While our trade has more than doubled in the 
past 10 years – reaching approximately USD 330 million in 2018 – we know that there are many 
business opportunities still to develop,  and are confident that our free trade agreement will enable 
us to make the most of them and achieve a higher degree of integration within a framework of clear 
and predictable rules.  
4.278.   During this review, my delegation requested further details about the pol icies Australia has 
been implementing to foster women's participation in international trade, with a view to discovering 
best practices in this field. We thank Australia for its reply to our question.  
4.279.   Once again, we should like to express our thanks for conducting this review and wish 
Australia every success in this trade policy review.  
TURKEY  
4.280.   We would like to welcome the Australian delegation to their eighth Trade Policy R eview.  
4.281.   We thank the WTO Secretariat and Australia for their comprehensive reports,  and our 
discussant, Ambassador Julian Braithwaite (UK), for his insightful comments.  
4.282.   As stated in the Secretariat's report, the Australian economy is diversified, with flexible labor 
and product markets and is supported by strong institutional arrangemen ts, and sound 
macroeconomic policies. During the review period, Australia endorsed several policy tools to 
stimulate demand and to boost domestic economic activity. Tax reductions for SMEs also contributed 
to those policies and ensured further integration of small firms into global trade chains.  
4.283.   As the report sets out, we consider "Economic and Commercial Diplomacy Agenda" of 
Australia has defined right priorities for the country and served as a good blueprint to guide foreign 
trade and enhance internation al competitiveness. We also commend the great performance of 
Australia in expansion of its FTA network, accounting for 70 % of Australia's two -way trade from 
26.8% in 2013. Having said that we believe that foreign investments still should play a more 
significant role in overall economic performance of Australia.  
4.284.   Australia is one of our key partners in the Asia -Pacific region. Despite the geographic distance 
Turkey and Australia have unique and close relations. We value our cooperation in international 
platforms including G20, the WTO and MIKTA . Through our cooperation under MIKTA, we have 
developed several cooperation areas for upholding rule -based international trade and have ensured 
constructive contributions to global trade governance.  
4.285.   We are happy to se e progress in our bilateral trade relations in recent years. Our total trade 
volume reached approximately to USD 1.7 billion last year  (2019 Trade Volume: 1,668 billion, 
Exports: USD 637 million, Imports : USD 1.031 billion).  There is still a significant further potential of 
cooperation in trade. We are committed to work together to enhance  our trade relations . We need 
to work on raising more mutual awareness regarding great complementary economic and trade 
potential between our  business communities, including the defense and agriculture industries.  
4.286.   In line with this approach, Turkey aims to develop new tools to enhance our economic 
partnership and lift any obstacles. In this respect, since 2017, there has been a prohibition on air 
cargo originated from, or transited through Turkey, for electromechanical devices that weigh over 
one kilogram. We encourage the Australian government to lift this ban. Turkish authorities are ready 
to consult with Australian government to address this  issue.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  4.287.   We appreciate Australia's role as a key player in international trade and one of the prominent 
members in shaping global economic architecture. Australia's contribution to multilateralism and to 
the negotiations under this roof is praiseworthy. We  commend their active and constructive role in 
advancing trade negotiations in agriculture and fisheries, as well as their leadership in joint initiative 
on e-commerce. We also appreciated Australia's guidance and strong commitment during the 
negotiations on environmental goods agreement among participants.  
4.288.   Let me also thank to our Australian colleagues, who work at the Permanent Mission in 
Geneva, for their hard work and valuable contribution to the daily activities under this roof.  
4.289.   Turkey will continue i ts close and fruitful dialogue with Australia in both bilate ral and 
multilateral platforms. We wish Australia a successful Trade Policy R eview.  
THAILAND  
4.290.   At the outset, Thailand would like to associate itself with ASEAN statement delivered by 
Singapore.  
4.291.   Thailand welcomes this opportunity to participate in the 8 th Trade Policy Review of Australia. 
We are honored to extend a warm welcome to Mr. George Mina and his delegation to Geneva.  
4.292.   We would like to thank you, Chair, for y our comprehensive summary, the d iscussant, 
Ambassador Braithwaite of the United Kingdom, for his in -depth analysis of Australia's trade policy, 
and the Secretariat for high quality report.  
4.293.   Thailand's trade and economic relationship with Australia has grown strongly since th e entry 
into force of the Thailand -Australia Free Trade Agreement in January 2005. Trade in good s has 
tripled since 2004, from USD 4.7 billion in 2004 to USD 14.2 billion in 2019. Australia is currently 
Thailand's 9th largest trading partner, while Thailan d is Australia's 8th largest trading partner and its 
biggest import source in ASEAN. Australian investment sto cks in Thailand were valued at 
USD 660 million at the end of 2019. These figures describe a substantial economic relationship, and 
we will continu e to foster our relations on the basis of mutual benefits.  
4.294.   Turning to the TPR, Thailand applauds Australia's sound macroeconomic policies and wide -
ranging structural reforms, which have contributed to uninterrupted growth for nearly three decades. 
Australi a's open trade policy is strongly connected to sustainable economic growth, international 
competitiveness, and improved living standards, positioning Australia as one of the most dynamic 
and open economies in the world.  
4.295.   Thailand commends Australia's const ructive role and contributions at the WTO. It has an 
impeccable track record for submitting notifications in different areas and has fully implemented the 
commitments under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
4.296.   Equally important, Thailand appreciates Austr alia's proactive participation in the negotiations 
especially in the area of agriculture. We commend Australia's leadership in the Cairns Group. As a 
co-sponsor of the "Framework for Negotiations on Domestic Support", we urge Members to join this 
initiativ e so that the WTO can deliver a balanced and meaningful outcome at MC12, which will 
positively impact global agricultural trade.  
4.297.   Chair, in this review, Thailand has sought clarity on a number of measures of our interests 
such as the Australian System of Ta riff Preferences, the new country of origin labelling system, the 
Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Act, the Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Act, and the 
government's strategies to promote development hub for SMEs. We take the opportunity to thank 
Australia for its timely responses.  
4.298.   Thailand has always enjoyed excellent working relations and cooperation with Ambassador 
Frances Lisson and her very capable team in Geneva. We look forward to continuing this, in our 
common goal of upholding the multilateral trading system. We wish Australia a successful 8th Trade 
Policy Review.  
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  GUATEMALA  
4.299.   On behalf of Guatemala, I extend my cordial greetings to the delegation of Australia, l ed by 
Mr George Mina, First Assistant Secretary of the Office of Trade Negotiations.  
4.300.   We should like to thank the Secretariat for its report and assessment as part of this review, 
and the UK Ambassador, Julian Braithwaite, for his contribution as today's d iscussant and for the 
clear overview he provided of Australia's trade policy.  
4.301.   For several decades now, Guatemala and Australia have enjoyed good relations based on 
close cooperation in a number of areas. As members of the Cairns Group, our countries have joined 
forces to promote agricultural trade reform. Our cooperation was also reflected in the United Nations 
Security Council in 2013, when Australia and Guatemala both served as non -permanent members 
of the Council. Another significant aspect of our joint  work has been Australia's participation as an 
extra-regional observer in the Central American Integration System (SICA) since 2011.  
4.302.   Our trade chiefly consists of coffee, oils and vegetable materials (products exported by 
Guatemala) and paper and paper pr oducts, dairy products, processed vegetables, and pipes and 
tubes (products imported from Australia). In 2019, Australia ranked 48th among Guatemala's export 
destinations and 66th for imports. The trade balance has risen steadily in recent years, and we be lieve 
that there is considerable potential for growth in many sectors, such as foods and beverages, 
manufactures, and information technology products. Platforms for sustained dialogue, such as the 
Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR), esta blished by the Australian Government 
in 2001, and the Forum for East Asia -Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), are helping to foster 
communication and identify opportunities for joint work.  
4.303.   Turning to the current review of Australia's trade policy, we note  the policy of openness 
pursued by the authorities in spite of the economic crisis, as well as the reduction in documentation 
requirements, the consolidation of computerized customs clearance, and the implementation of 
important trade facilitation measures .  
4.304.   Also worthy of note is the entry into force of the Biosecurity Act (2015) and other regulations 
in this area, which constitute new elements within the field of sanitary and phytosanitary measures.  
4.305.   Turning to intellectual property, the "Australia 2030: Prosperity through Innovation" 
initiative, under the National Innovation and Science Agenda, transforms innovation into a platform 
for economic development by supporting and promoting innovative companies and expanding new 
market sectors and production cha ins.  
4.306.   Guatemala acknowledges the efforts made by Australia during the period covered by this 
report.  
4.307.   We welcome the replies to the questions submitted in the context of this review and wish 
the Australian delegation a successful conclusion to its country's  trade policy review.  
PHILIPPINES  
4.308.   The Philippine delegation warmly welcomes and congratulates the delegation of Australia 
headed by First Assistant Secretary George Mina and their Permanent Representative to the WTO, 
Ambassador Frances Lisson , on Australia 's 8th Trade Policy Review in the WTO. We also thank the 
discussant Ambassador Julian Braithwaite of United Kingdom for his insightful comments, and the 
WTO Secretariat for a comprehensive report.  
4.309.   The Philippines associates itself with the ASEAN statement recognizing the robust economic 
and trade relations between ASEAN and Australia.  
4.310.   The Philippines and Australia have built a strong and enduring relationship since the 
establishment of our diplomatic relations in 1946 . Australia and the Philippine s' long -standing trade 
and the continued expansion of our people -to-people links underpin our deepening bilateral 
relationship.  To further deepen the bilateral links between our two countries, we signed the Joint 
Declaration on the Australia -Philippines Co mprehensive Partnership on 18 November 2015 which WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  demonstrates our commitment to strengthen and expand our relationship in a manner that is 
mutually beneficial.  
4.311.   Australia is an important trading partner of the Philippines. Bilateral trade amounted to USD 
1.76 Billion last year. The Philippines' main exports to Australia include lead -acid, unwrought gold, 
static converters, and desiccated coconuts. While the main exports of Australia to the Philippines are 
wheat, meat of bovine animals, coal, and petroleum o ils, among others.  
4.312.   Australia's economy is highly integrated with the global economy, particularly the Indo -
Pacific region, with overall foreign trade comprising 46% of their GDP. The resilience of the Australian 
economy has facilitated 28 years of continuo us economic growth, which is a result of its careful 
economic policy management and its successful fostering of an internationally competitive, outward -
looking economy.  
4.313.   The Philippines recognizes Australia's strong support for the open and rules -based 
multilateral trading system. The Australian government actively participates in the WTO reform 
efforts to help modernize the WTO. It also plays a lead role in a range of WTO negotiations, such as 
the Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce, to help update the rulebook and ensure that 
WTO rules keep up with economic and technological change.  
4.314.   We value the importance given by Australia to the role of Micro, Small and Medium 
Enterprises (MSMEs) in achieving inclusive and sustainable development, and the significance of 
enhancing MSMEs' participation in international trade. We acknowledge the Australian Government's 
efforts in reforming their regulatory environment for MSMEs to minimize regulatory burden and 
promote MSMEs growth. We look forward to continu e working together in advancing this initiative 
in the WTO, including the other ongoing joint initiatives on electronic commerce and investment 
facilitation for development.  
4.315.   The Philippines  submitted  some  advance  written  questions  on the TPR Secretariat  and 
Government  reports,  and we thank  Australia  in advance  for its response.  
4.316.   In closing,  the Philippines  looks forward  to further  enhancing  the mutually  beneficial  
economic  relations  with Australia  in the bilateral,  regional,  and multilateral  fora. 
VIET  NAM 
4.317.   On behalf of Viet Nam’s delegation, I wish to extend our warm welcome to the distinguished 
delegation from Australia led by Mr George Mina, First Assistant Secretary, Office of Trade 
Negotiations  to the eighth Trade Policy R eview. I would like to thank the  Government of Australia 
and the WTO Secretariat for the preparation of comprehensive reports for this re view. My thanks 
also go to the d iscussant, His Excellency  Julian Braithwaite , Ambassador and Permanent 
Representative, UK Mission to the WTO, UN and Ot her International Organizations for insightful 
observations and introduction.  
4.318.   We would like to associate ourselves with the ASEAN Joint Statement delivered by Singapore.  
4.319.   Since the last Trade Policy R eview, we are happy to note that the Australian economy 
continued to grow  averaging 2.6% annually during the review period despite increasing global 
uncertainties and trade tensions. We share the same view with Australia  that further  enhanced trade 
liberaliz ation is among the best pathways to prosperity and welcome Australia’s strong commitment 
to the multilateral trading system in the time of uncertainties.  
4.320.   For our trade relations, we are pleased to be Australia’s fastest -growing trading partner 
within the ASEAN bloc in re cent years. In 2019, bilateral trade recorded a year -on-year increase of 
3% to nearly USD 8 billion. Of the total, Viet Nam’s export to Australia was USD 3.5 billion, down 
12% from 2018. Import from Australia rose significantly by 19 % to over USD 4.5 billi on. Viet Nam’s 
major export items to Australia are telephone all types and components, computers and electronic 
products and components, and footwear and two -way trade is targeted to reach USD 10 billion in 
2020.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  4.321.   In terms of investment, Australia’s FDI to Viet Nam reached USD 1.9 billion in 2019. Viet 
Nam’s investment to Australia was USD 154.6 million, accounted for 30.4 % of our total oversea 
investments.  
4.322.   We note that in the review period Australia introduced new sanitary and phytosanitary 
requirements tha t lay down specific conditions for the importation of various commodities. We ask 
that Australia, in the spirit of pursuing trade openness and economic integration policy, to consider 
flexible implementation of these requirements to developing countries.  
4.323.   Viet Nam and Australia are now Parties of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement 
for Trans -Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Given the fact that the CPTPP is a high -standard and “new 
generation” agreement, with the commitments made to each other in this Agr eement, bilateral trade 
between Viet Nam and Australia is expected to expand strongly and sustainably in the coming time, 
bringing about  practical benefits for both countries and the people.  
4.324.   At the multilateral level, Viet Nam highly commends Australia’s commitment and valuable 
contribution over the years to the WTO. Australia is one of the most active and leading members of 
the Organization. Viet Nam appreciates the important roles played by Australia in promoting 
negotiations and deliberations in recent years, including potential WTO improvements, particularly 
at this critical stage for this organization. Australia has been contributing to the process as an 
important Member and as an active proponent of the various neg otiation areas, especially in 
E-Commerce and Fishery Subsidies negotiations.  
4.325.   In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ambassador Frances Lisson and 
her able te am for the preparation of this R eview as well as their constructive and act ive contribution 
and engagement in WTO activities and wish Australia a successful Trade Policy Review.  
PARAGUAY  
4.326.   STATEMENT NOT PROVIDED . 
URUGUAY  
4.327.   Uruguay extends a most cordial welcome to the delegation of Australia, led by First Assistant 
Secretary of the O ffice of Trade Negotiations, Mr George Mina, on the occasion of Australia's eighth 
trade policy review. We should also like to thank Ambassador Julian Braithwaite for his presentation 
and the Secretariat for its high -quality report.  
4.328.   The resilience of the A ustralian economy, which has facilitated nearly 30 years of 
uninterrupted growth, its strong institutional arrangements and its robust regulatory frameworks 
and prudent macroeconomic policies are particularly remarkable. Australia has managed to navigate 
international economic shocks thanks to an open, diversified economy aimed at boosting potential 
growth, while maintaining open trade, investment and immigration. The government's strenuous 
efforts to mitigate the economic impact of the devastating forest f ires that swept through the country 
in late 2019 and early 2020 are also noteworthy.  
4.329.   With respect to our bilateral relations, Australia ranked 59th among Uruguay's export 
destinations. Exported products include plastic products, orthopaedic appliances, ele ctrical 
transformers, rice and caviar. Imported products include iron products, wool, coal and seeds. To 
contribute to this mutually beneficial exchange, Uruguay and Australia decided to revise the 
investment promotion and protection agreement, in force si nce 2002. The revision is currently going 
through parliamentary procedure before its entry into force. We also have a tax information 
exchange agreement in force since 1 July 2014.  
4.330.   Australia and Uruguay are in agreement that the only way to deal with curre nt global trade 
challenges is to preserve and strengthen the multilateral trading system, a key tool for ensuring 
open, fair and predictable trade. In this context, we agree on the importance of updating the 
WTO rules and safeguarding an efficient dispute settlement system. Consequently, we have chosen 
to work together to draw up contingency measures, in the form of an interim multi -party arbitration 
agreement, in order to appeal WTO panel reports.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  4.331.   As regards multilateral agricultural negotiations, Uruguay and Australia have a long -standing 
cooperative partnership. This cooperation goes back to the establishment of the Cairns Group in 
1986, during the launch of the Uruguay Round negotiations. It was in that forum that, coordinated 
by Australia, we championed  a genuine, extensive and effective reform of agricultural trade in all 
three WTO pillars – market access, domestic support and export competition.  
4.332.   Our countries are also in full agreement as to the negotiations for the reform of fisheries 
subsidies, parti cularly those encouraging illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and promoting 
overcapacity and overfishing. Along with Australia, Uruguay therefore co -sponsors five draft 
negotiating texts to tackle this matter.  
4.333.   We also share interests in plurilatera l initiatives on domestic regulation of services, 
e-commerce and investment facilitation, and in the informal group on MSMEs.  
4.334.   For Uruguay, policies aiming to promote MSMEs are highly relevant. We therefore commend 
the Australian government's efforts to ref orm the regulatory environment for SMEs so as to minimize 
the regulatory burden. We also welcome the creation of the Small Business and Family Enterprise 
Ombudsman in 2016 in order to defend their interests.  
4.335.   Lastly, we should once again like to express our  appreciation of this new opportunity to 
discuss Australia's trade practices, and congratulate the country's team at the Permanent Mission in 
Geneva, led by Ambassador Frances Lisson, for its work and active involvement in this Organization. 
We wish you a successful conclusion to this review.  
JAMAICA  
4.336.   Jamaica is pleased to participate in this the eighth Trade Policy Review of Australia. We 
extend special welcome to Mr. George Mina, the Head of the Australian Delegation and commend 
him for the positive report presented. In particular, we wish to recogniz e Ambassador Frances Lisson 
and the staff of the Australian Permanent Mission to the WTO for their efforts.  
4.337.   Further, we wish to thank you Chair, as well as the Discussant, Ambassador Julian 
Braithwaite of the United Kingdom, for your respective contributi ons which have certainly served to 
enrich our deliberations today. Thanks also to the Secretariat for the comprehensive report provided.  
4.338.   Jamaica and Australia established diplomatic ties in 1974. As members of the 
Commonwealth, both countries share a long history of friendship and cooperation at the bilateral 
and multilateral levels, as well as an active trading relationship. Over the years, the balance of trade 
has been skewed in favour of Australia. In 2018, for example, Jamaica's total imports from Austr alia 
were valued at approximately US D 18 million and mainly comprised meat products.  
4.339.   Jamaica's main ex ports to the country are alcoholic beverages, including beer, ru m and other 
spirits.  
4.340.   In terms of investment, there has also been increasing interest by Australia in Jamaica's 
mining sector. In March 2019, Queensland -based environment technology company, Phibion, 
established operations in Jamaica, which involves the provision of waste manag ement services to 
the bauxite mining sector. Jamaica looks forward to strengthening its engagement with Australia in 
these and other areas in the coming years.  
4.341.   Jamaica joins in congratulating Australia on the considerable strides made since its last trade 
policy review in 2015. The reports highlight that despite a turbulent global economic landscape, 
Australia recorded 28 years of unbroken economic growth averaging 2.6% and is ranked as the 14th 
largest economy in the world, as a result of the government's strong macroeconomic policies. These 
have been accompanied by measures to further facilitate trade and investment and to boost 
Australia's international competitiveness. This is commendable.  
4.342.   Like Jamaica, the services sector remains a key economic driver f or Australia which is 
recognized as a world -class provider of professional services, financial services, energy and mining -
related services, environmental services and financial technology. In addition, Australia remains WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  among the top 10 agricultural expor ters in the world, with agricultural, forestry and fisheries 
products accounting for 15.2% of the country's total merchandise exports in 2018.  
4.343.   Consistent with its commitment to an open, transparent and rules -based global trading 
system,  Australia has continued to participate actively in the multilateral trading system. In this 
regard, we wish to acknowledge the constructive and proactive engagement of Australia, as an 
important member of the WTO, in the negotiations and regular work prog ramme of the organisation. 
This is important given that trade remains the primary vehicle for the pursuit of economic growth, 
job creation and national development, as well as the attainment of the Sustainable Development 
Goals.  
4.344.   In closing, Jamaica congra tulates the delegation of Australia and extends best wishes for a 
successful Trade Policy Review.  
SRI LANKA  
4.345.   STATEMENT NOT PROVIDED . 
MAURITIUS  
4.346.   The Mauritius delegation welcomes the Australian delegation for this 8th Trade Policy of 
Australia  
4.347.   It is indeed a great pleasure to participate in the Trade Policy Review of Australia - a major 
player in the multilateral trading system, and also a country with which Mauritius shares historical 
relations.   
4.348.   We support Australia's view that multilateral negotiations through the WTO are the most 
effective way to achieve trade liberalization on a global scale, including through improved market 
access and investment opportunities.  
4.349.   In this regard, we further commend Australia for its efforts to reform the mul tilateral trading 
system for a more transparent, predictable and ruled based system, including addressing the 
Appellate Body impasse, that would benefit developing countries, including SIDS. At the same time 
Australia has, to our appreciation, also maintai ned a strong track -record for submitting notifications 
to the WTO.  
4.350.   Mauritius believes that trade facilitation projects are key instruments to creating a better 
trading environment. In this regard, we take note that Australia has reached full implementation  of 
its commitments under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) across all categories.  We hope 
that Australia would consider expanding its scope of support to include some developing countries, 
such as Mauritius, that are facing difficulties in fulfi lling their category C commitments due to limited 
access to funding and capacity building programmes.  
4.351.   We congratulate Australia for its efforts to open up trade opportunities to signatories of 
Regional Trade Agreements, Preferential Trade Agreements and Fr ee Trade Agreements. As Africa 
looks forward for upscaling its engagement with major partners, particularly in the context of the 
recently launched AfCFTA, we hope that Australia extends similar trade opportunities to African 
countries.  
4.352.   Mauritius further c ommends Australia for its contribution in developing rules in new areas 
related to trade such as investment facilitation, MSMEs, electronic commerce, and domestic 
regulation in services.  
4.353.   We also wish to highlight two specific projects being implemented by Australia which are a 
clear manifestation of its commitment to seeking innovative approach in boosting trade and 
development, as well as supporting MSMEs to integrate the global value chain.  
4.354.   Firstly, the Australian’s Landing Pads Programme established in five main cities around the 
world is surely an example to follow with the objective of boosting businesses of start -up companies 
and facilitate their development. We also appreciate Australia’s initiative to develop solutions to WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  problems faced by small bus inesses. Such an initiative could be replicated in other countries to help 
boost the SME sector.  
4.355.   Secondly, we note that Australia has introduced a National Innovation and Science Agenda 
with a view to assisting businesses to commerciali ze their Intellectua l Property (IP) worldwide. As a 
small island state, Mauritius believes in IP as a tool to drive innovation and creativity for economic 
development. Mauritius is currently revamping its entire IP framework and would wish to collaborate 
with Australia in thi s regard.  
4.356.   To conclude Mr Chairman the Mauritius delegation wishes the Australian delegation a 
successful and fruitful review.  
TAJIKISTAN  
4.357.   On behalf of Government of the Republic of Tajikistan I would like to extend a warm welcome 
to the entire Delegation of  Australia led by Mr. George Mina, First Assistance Secretary, Office of 
Trade Negotiation.  
4.358.   I am very pleased to participate in the  eighth  Trade Policy Review of Australia.  
4.359.   We appreciate the efforts of the Government of Australia and the Secretariat in pr oducing 
the reports circulated well ahead of the meeting and the Discussant for his insights. The Reports 
provide comprehensive details on the developments in Australia's economic and trade policy since 
its last review.  
4.360.   The Republic of Tajikistan commends Australia for significant achievements made since last 
TPR. Since its previous Trade Policy Review, Australia has continued to experience sustained 
economic growth. Real GDP grew by 1.9% in 2018/19, and the average annual increase of 2.6% 
between 2012/13 and 2017/18. Australia was the world's 12th largest economy in 2015 and the 
14th largest economy in 2019. Australia's high standard of living has continued over the review 
period, with GDP per capita of USD 53.8 thousand in 2019.  
4.361.   We welcome the eff orts of Australia, particularly to advance WTO reform discussions and its 
active engagement in a number of plurilateral and multilateral initiatives at the WTO.  
4.362.   Australia became a party to the plurilateral Expansion of the Information Technology 
Agreement (ITA) in 2016. It also ratified the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in June 2015. 
Australia became the 48th member of GPA on 5 May 2019.  
4.363.   During the revi ew period, Australia submitted numerous notifications to the WTO and since 
1995 participated in 9 cases as complainant, in 16 disputes as respondent and a third party in 109 
disputes.  
4.364.   In conclusion the Republic of Tajikistan highly appreciates the hard wo rk and strong 
commitment of Australia and wishes a very successful and productive Trade Policy Review.  
CAMBODIA  
4.365.   My delegation joins others to express our warmly welcome the Australian delegation led by 
Mr. George Mina, First Assistant Secretary of Office o f Trade Negotiations. We thank Mr. George for 
his opening remark and H.E. Mr. Julian Braithwaite of the United Kingdom as the discussant for his 
insightful statement reflecting the current Australian trade regime. We also thank the Trade Policy 
Reviews Div ision and Australia for making available both reports and documents for this review.  
4.366.   My delegation wishes to congratulate Australia for its remarkable economic performance with 
the economic growth at the average of over 2.5% during the period of three year s, 2019, 2020 and 
2021 respectively. We note with applause that Australia has maintained and formulated a 
transparent and liberalizing trade regime since its last review in 2015. We commend Australia for 
putting its efforts and active participation in upho lding existing rules and building up rule -based 
multilateral system. Even though Cambodia is not a member of E -Commerce Joint Statement WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  Initiative (JSI), we are aware that Australia has led this process in a transparent and inclusive 
manner. We encourage A ustralia to continue this practice.  
4.367.   We also commend the notable efforts made by Australia for taking into consideration the 
capacity constraints and challenges faced by LDCs including Cambodia in the WTO works as well as 
current WTO negotiations. We wish to encourage Australia to constantly continue and expand all of 
the above efforts in all areas of WTO works and negotiations including the JSI negotiations. We note 
with thank the Australian delegation in Geneva led by Ambassador H.E Ms Frances Lisson for their 
excellent cooperation in contributing to the WTO works, particularly the works which are involved 
with LDCs.  
4.368.   We appreciate the Australian generous supports to LDCs including Cambodia through 
granting full DFQF market access under the Australian Syst em of Tariff Preferences (ASTP) , as well 
as providing development assistance either through bilateral or multilateral channels. Cambodia 
wishes to associate itself with the statements made by Chad on behalf of the LDC Group in this 
context.  
4.369.   In regional coo peration, Cambodia associates itself with the statement made by Singapore 
on behalf of ASEAN Member States. Cambodia acknowledges the great efforts of both sides working 
towards achieving the ASEAN -Australia Strategic Partnership and following up the Plan of Action for 
the period of 2020 -2024 which was adopted in 2019. We also appreciate and welcome the continue d 
actions and support by Australia since the adoption of the ASEAN -Australia -New Zealand Free Trade 
Agreement (AANZFTA) in 2010.  
4.370.   In bilateral relation, Cambodia and Australia established diplomatic relations since 1952, and 
Australia has been recognized a s a strong supporter for the Cambodian Peace Process. Since then 
Cambodia and Australia have maintained and strengthened our relation and commitment to trade 
and development cooperation.  
4.371.   Australia is an important trading partner for Cambodia. In 2019, we exported about 
USD 188 million mostly apparel and clothing items and foot wears to Australian markets; and import 
from Australia around  USD 60 million. We appreciate the Official Development Assistance (ODA) 
provided by Australia to improve access to infra structure, increase agricultural productivity, promote 
better health and education as well as promote gender equality in Cambodia. We note with thanks 
all of these activities and wish to cooperate with Australia for further success to come in the future.  
4.372.   Finally, my delegation would like to take this opportunity to express our satisfaction and 
commitment to strengthen deeper and further cooperation between Cambodia and Australia both in 
trade and investment relations, including the WTO works here.  
4.373.   I wish A ustralia a successful and meaningful conclusion of its 8th TPR. 
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  5  REPLIES BY THE REPRE SENTATIVE OF AUSTRALI A AND ADDITIONAL COMM ENTS  
Introduction  
5.1.  Mr Chairman, in this second session of Australia's eighth Trade Policy Review, I would like to 
start by expres sing our sincere appreciation to our Discussant, Ambassador Braithwaite, for his 
thoughtful analysis of Australia’s trade policies and practices.  
5.2.  Let me also convey our thanks to the many WTO Members who have submitted their statements 
despite the unusual  circumstances this week. We welcome the views provided and note the 
importance of your feedback as part of this peer review process.  
5.3.  I would also wish to extend particular thanks to the WTO Secretariat for the flexibility they 
have shown us over recent da ys. We are grateful for all your efforts and creativity which ensured 
our TPR could proceed this week through this innovative virtual end to the process.  We express our 
deep appreciation for the understanding of Spanish and French speaking colleagues, who  were 
unable to hear a translation of the statements, this was an unfortunate consequence of the 
exceptional circumstances.  
5.4.  As we all well know, the TPR process is a rigorous one. The time and effort involved in 
responding to the nearly 600 questions is su bstantial. However, it is a process that Australia 
welcomes. This reflects Australia’s firm belief that the global trading system functions best when its 
Members are open and transparent about their trade and economic policies.  
5.5.  Australia is committed to i mproving transparency across the WTO and to modelling good 
practice in these areas, including through our commitment to meeting WTO notification 
requirements.  
Responses to questions  
5.6.  Several recurrent themes arose in the questions from Members and in the s tatements provided. 
I cannot promise to respond to all topics raised by Members, but we do seek to respond directly to 
the most common themes.  
5.7.  We were pleased to see so many Member countries remarking positively on Australia’s 
approach to trade policies, noting how they have led to our strong record of economic growth. We 
were also pleased to see several Members noting that they look to Australia’s experience to inform 
their own trade policies.  
5.8.  We appreciated the comments from many Members on Australia’s commitment to the WTO, 
and our extensive work to support multilateral and plurilateral negotiations underway. As our 
Discussant noted, Australia has benefited greatly from the WTO, and we in turn invest heavily within 
it to strengthen the rules -based multilateral trading system.  
5.9.  We noted the strong interest in the development of Australia’s digital economy. As a leader in 
this area, Australia is keenly aware of the benefits of digital technology, including cost efficiencies, 
improved productivity and new revenue opportunities. As a Co -Convenor of the Joint Statement 
Initiative negotiations on E -commerce, Australia looks forward to continuing to promote digital trade, 
while also ensuring privacy and improving other protections for consu mers.  
Foreign investment  
5.10.   Several Members raised questions regarding Australia’s foreign investment review regime.  
5.11.   Let me reiterate that Australia welcomes foreign investment for the important and beneficial 
role it plays in the economy. Australia’s foreig n investment framework strikes a balance between 
ensuring Australia remains an attractive investment destination and maintaining the community’s 
confidence in foreign investment – which is critical to ensure continued support for foreign 
investment and the  many benefits it provides.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  5.12.   Australia’s foreign investment regime is underpinned by a ‘negative test’ – meaning an 
investment will only be prohibited from proceeding if it is deemed contrary to the national interest 
and cannot be mitigated with conditions.  This approach maximi zes investment flows, while 
protecting Australia’s interests.  
5.13.   Several Members asked what is meant by the reference to the national interest. In the foreign 
investment context this can include national security, competition, other Gover nment policies 
(including tax), the impact on the economy and the community, and the investor’s character.   
5.14.   Out of AUD 1.46 trillion of approved foreign investment in Australia since 2010, only four 
proposals have not been approved.  
Anti-dumping/Trade rem edies  
5.15.   A number of Members raised Australia’s trade remedies system and Anti -Dumping Review 
processes, including changes to our Customs Amendment (Anti -Dumping Measures) Act 2017.  
5.16.   Australia's trade remedies underpin our open market and enable ongoing libera lization to 
allow increased market access. The capacity to respond to anti -competitive pricing practices by 
overseas suppliers is a crucial element in the Australian Government's capacity to maintain business 
and community support for Australia's open trad e policies.  
5.17.   Dumped and subsidi zed imports can affect our markets including through suppressing prices, 
distorting competition, reducing profits, and lowering employment. Consistent with WTO rules, 
Australia’s trade remedies system provides a mechanism to ensure Australian manufacturers can 
compete on a level playing field in circumstances where imported goods are dumped or subsidi zed 
and are proven, through due process, to be the direct cause of injury to domestic manufacturers.   
5.18.   Australia’s anti -dumping system is demand -driven. Investigations, and any resulting 
measures, are in response to applications from industry and reflect market conditions. Any anti -
dumping measures imposed result from an independent, rigorous and transparent investigation, 
offering  due process to interested parties and the possibility of both merits and judicial review.  
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  
5.19.   A number of Members raised changes to Australia’s biosecurity regime, including how risk 
analysis is carried out through a Biosec urity Import Risk Analysis (BIRA).  
5.20.   Australia is free from many pests and diseases present in other parts of the world. Australia 
maintains the necessary SPS measures to minimi ze the risk of these pests and diseases from 
entering Australia to protect Austr alia’s agriculture sector and unique environment.  
5.21.   Risk analyses conducted by Australia are science -based and conform to Australia’s WTO 
obligations.  
5.22.   A BIRA or a non -regulated risk analysis identifies if a proposed imported good meets 
Australia’s appropria te level of protection (ALOP). Australia’s ALOP has been set at ‘very low’ to 
protect human, animal and plant life and the environment.  
5.23.   Australia has not undertaken a BIRA since the Biosecurity Act 2015 came into force on 
16 June 2016. However, Australia h as completed numerous non -regulated import risk analyses for 
a range of trading partners.  
Tax treatment  
5.24.   Several Members raised Australia’s tax regimes, particularly the extra -territorial application 
of our Goods and Services Tax (GST), including on digital  products and services. Consistent with 
most of the world’s value -added tax systems, Australia’s GST rules follow the destination principle, 
which means GST should only be levied in Australia when consumption of the product or service 
supplied occurs in th e indirect tax zone (Australia). Australia’s recent GST changes have relieved 
many non -resident businesses from having to register in Australia and charge GST where they only WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  make supplies, predominately of services, to businesses located in Australia. To ensure equitable 
GST treatment, resident Australian business recipients acquiring these supplies must now reverse 
charge the GST (to themselves) in appropriate cases. These principles align with the agreed OECD 
International VAT/GST Guidelines.  
5.25.   We hope thi s explanation also helps to clarify any concerns that Australia’s GST constitutes a 
de facto circumvention of the moratorium on electronic transactions. The GST is an internal tax, not 
a customs duty, and applies equally to domestic and imported goods.  
CoOL 
5.26.   Finally, Australia's Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) reforms were of interest to a number of 
Members. These reforms were introduced in response to consumer confusion about country of origin 
food labelling that had existed for a long time. Consumers ha d been calling for changes to simplify 
origin claims on foods and to make them clearer, more meaningful and easier to find. Businesses, 
though recogni zing the value of country of origin labelling, often struggled to understand labelling 
requirements and/or  to meet consumer expectations.  
5.27.   Australia's CoOL reforms apply to all food sold in a retail setting, and are intended to enable 
consumers to make purchasing decisions in line with their personal preferences.  
Conclusion  
5.28.   To conclude, allow me to reiterate A ustralia’s unwavering commitment both to openness and 
to world trade rules. As a nation where one in five jobs depend on trade, standing up for these 
principles has never been more important for Australia.  
5.29.   On behalf of Australia, I would like to thank onc e again all Members for your active and 
constructive engagement throughout Australia’s TPR process. Our thanks also go to our Chair, 
Ambassador Teehankee, and Ambassador Braithwaithe, our Discussant. Finally, I would also like to 
thank the WTO Secretariat for your steadfast work in preparing the report for this review and your 
support throughout this week.  
DISCUSSANT  
5.30.   Mr Chairman, I would like to start by congratulating the Australian delegates, led by First 
Assistant Secretary George Mina, for their active and open participation in their eighth Trade Policy 
Review. In particular, I want to commend their flexibility in en suring that the review went forward 
despite the suspension of meetings at the WTO this week. They travelled quite some distance to 
participate in what became a virtual meeting. They have demonstrated a tremendous commitment 
to the Trade Policy Review Mecha nism. Thanks are also due to all the WTO Members who participated 
in this review - the nearly 600 submitted questions from WTO Members and the statements that 
have been shared are testament to the value of the TPRM to the Membership.  
5.31.   I observed some common  themes that stand out in the statements from Members, and have 
organized my closing remarks around these. The first is Australia’s deep commitment to the WTO 
and its active participation its work. The second relates to areas of concern identified by Membe rs, 
and the last is other trade policy developments welcomed by Members.  
5.32.   Members commented on Australia’s strong support of the WTO and the multilateral trading 
system, from its exemplary record in meeting its notification requirements to its leadership ro le as 
one of the co -conveners of the Joint Statement Initiative on E -commerce and the Cairns Group. 
Australia is also actively engaged in the other JSIs and the fisheries subsidies negotiations, and is a 
key supporter of the Buenos Aires Declaration on Tra de and Women’s Economic Empowerment. 
During the review period, Australia ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement and the Protocol 
amending the TRIPS Agreement, became a party to the Government Procurement Agreement, and 
implemented the tariff commitments  under the expansion of the Information Technology Agreement. 
At a time when the WTO is under stress, Members clearly welcome Australia’s continued commitment 
to the Organization.  WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  5.33.   In any good performance review, it is not enough to look at what has been d one well.  It is 
just as important to look at those areas where there is room for improvement, and Members have 
done so in their written questions and in their statements. As I noted in my introductory remarks, 
some of these are issues that have been menti oned in previous Trade Policy Reviews, including 
concerns about the Luxury Car Tax, the Australian Wine Equalization Tax, the GST, Double Taxation 
Agreements, the use of trade remedies, and sanitary and phytosanitary and other regulatory 
measures in the fo od and agriculture sectors. Other concerns are newer, including those related to 
foreign direct investment screening. Many Members noted the link between Australia’s continued 
economic success and its commitment to openness and to the multilateral system, and urged 
Australia to resist the trend toward protectionism that is destabilizing the multilateral trade system.  
5.34.   The tone of Members’ statements was overwhelmingly positive, and therefore it is easy for 
me to conclude on a positive note, by touching brief ly on other trade policy actions by Australia that 
were welcomed by Membe6rs. As a number of Members noted in their statements, Australia is 
deepening its network of trade agreements around the world. In addition, Australia has provided 
generous support to  least developed countries. I would like to recognize in particular the 
AUD 1 million donation to help LDCs engage in global agricultural trade.  Australia is implementing 
policies to help small and medium -sized businesses compete globally – reducing regul atory and tax 
burdens, and helping them break into export markets through the Landing Pads programme.  
5.35.   It has been a pleasure and an honour  to serve as the discussant for Australia’s Trade Policy 
Review. I want to thank the WTO Secretariat for their efforts, above and beyond the usual extensive 
work required to prepare reports, compile questions, answers and statements from other Members, 
and organize the meeting, to make this first ever virtual WTO Review a success. And finally, I would 
like to wish the Australian delegation a safe and healthy return home.  
UNITED  STATES  
5.36.   We sincerely thank Ambassador Braithwaite for his contributions as Discus sant and Head of 
Delegation Mr. George Mina for his thoughtful remarks this morning. We would also like to extend 
our sincere gratitude to the Secretariat for their tireless efforts during an uncertain and evolving 
situation due to the coronavirus pandemic .  
5.37.   We greatly appreciate the summary of discussion from day one and informative responses 
received from Australia to most of our advance written questions. We have studied them carefully 
and have a few follow -up questions, which we submitted to the TPR Div ision earlier this morning. 
Our follow -up questions primarily focus on the availability and timeliness of cargo clearance time 
data as well as measures that affect ethanol production and trade. We look forward to Australia’s 
responses to these follow -up qu estions.  
5.38.   In closing, we commend Australia for their exceptionally strong economic performance over 
the last decade, which is a testament to Australia’s sound macroeconomic policies. As one of 
Australia’s closet friends and allies, we look forward to our f uture work with Australia in the WTO as 
well as in bilateral and regional forums. We wish all those returning to capital safe travels and good 
health.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
5.39.   The EU is pleased to be able to participate in the second day of Australia TPR in a virtua l 
manner, thanks to the WTO Secretariat’s logistical efforts. We sympathize  with the Australian 
authorities that travelled all the way to Geneva and were not able to participate in the meeting, but 
we highly appreciate the commitment and engagement of the Australian delegation in nevertheless 
making this TPR a successful event.  
5.40.   Australia has indeed played again a pioneering role by becoming the first WTO Member to 
experience a “virtual TPR" and thus demonstrated its commitment to the foundational value of 
predictability and transparency of this Organization .  
5.41.   Mr Chairman, in our statement on the first day, the EU indicated its willingness to increase 
cooperation with Australia on climate change. We noted that the EU -Australia Framework Agreement 
of 2017 con tains sustainable development provisions, including on crucial climate topics, and that WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  we attach great importance to the sustainable development chapter in the current bilateral FTA 
negotiations. Today we would like to reiterate those important objectives .  
5.42.   On a different note, however, the EU is somewhat disappointed regarding the lack of 
commitment from the Australian authorities on several concerns that were already raised at the last 
TPR, in particular the issues of the luxury car tax and the wine equa lization tax. We also note the 
lack of commitment of the Australian government to meet several EU Member States’ request for 
negotiations of bilateral tax treaties. We would have also liked to see more clarity and narrowing the 
concept of “’national securi ty” to improve potential investors’ capacity to anticipate the government’s 
decision as to their proposed investments, notably as that the Government of Australia has 
repeatedly confirmed its policy of welcoming foreign investment in its replies to the que stions.  
5.43.   The EU has limited itself to one follow -up question that has been sent in writing to Australia. 
It relates to the EU request for the EU origin marking to be recognized  since the reply given to us 
does not show any legal impediment to that objective , which is important for the EU. We hope that 
the Australian authorities will consider this matter back in capital.  
5.44.   I would like to conclude by sincerely thanking the Australian delegation and the WTO 
Secretariat for their arrangements that allowed us to successfully go through this important review 
despite of the exceptional circumstances. The EU is confident that we will continue out excellent 
cooperation both in the context of multilateral trading system and bilaterally. Thank you.  
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  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS  BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
6.1.  This eighth Trade Policy Review of Australia has allowed us to track and acknowledge significant 
developments in the economic, trade and investment regime of Australia over the past five years. I 
would like to thank especially the head of the Australian delegation, Mr. George Mina, First Assistant 
Secretary, Office of Trade Negotiations at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and his 
Canberra -based colleagues, who made a very long journey to participate in this review under 
except ional circumstances, as well as our discussant, Ambassador Julian Braithwaite, Permanent 
Representative of the United Kingdom, for his valuable remarks and insights. My gratitude is also 
extended to the WTO Members that provided advance written questions a nd approximately 
40 delegations for their formal statements that allowed us to conduct the proceedings as a "virtual 
review".   
6.2.  In their statements, Members complimented Australia for sustained economic expansion, 
approaching nearly three decades of uninte rrupted growth. The resilient performance was anchored 
in a sound institutional framework built on trade openness and a generally positive attitude towards 
foreign investment. Prudent macroeconomic policies, including a judicious fiscal policy, allowed 
economic stimuli and assistance to be provided in response to adverse conditions, whether in the 
world's markets or due to the vagaries of weather or climate change. Some of these vulnerabilities, 
such as the recent bushfires and the prevalence of the coronav irus, could be increasing. Additional 
support to enhance productivity and address other ongoing challenges would no doubt be required.  
6.3.  Members welcomed Australia's leadership role in the WTO and its active participation in almost 
all fora. Australia's broa d, positive agenda notably spanned from institutional reform of the WTO, 
the preservation of a two -tiered dispute settlement mechanism, and reform of agriculture to the 
negotiations on fisheries subsidies, and discussions on rules for electronic commerce; services 
domestic regulation; investment facilitation for development; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises 
(MSMEs), gender and the economic empowerment of women; as well as trade and environment 
issues. Australia's pursuit of enhanced transparency within t he WTO framework was backed up by 
an excellent track record in the fulfilment of its own notification obligations. Australia's generous 
contributions to aid for trade activities, in combination with full duty -free quota -free market access 
for LDCs and exte nsive trade preferences for developing countries, were also highlighted.  
6.4.  In the period under review, Australia had ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, leading 
to further simplification of customs procedures, and provided additional market opening with 
accession to the plurilateral Agreement on Government Procurement and implementation of the 
expanded Information Technology Agreement. Australia had also accepted the Protocol amending 
the TRIPS Agreement and was committed to strengthening IP protection and enforcement. At the 
regional and bilateral level, significant ma rket liberalization was taking place under the 
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans -Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and Australia's 
free trade agreements with Japan and China. Further trade expansion was in the pipeline, as 
concluded FTAs were ent ering into force, and new FTAs were under negotiation.  
6.5.  Australia's MFN tariff regime was characterized by an average applied rate of 2.5% with lower 
rates for agricultural products than for other goods. Although these low rates were highly 
appreciated, th e continued decline in applied MFN tariffs was also widening the gap between 
Australia's applied and bound regime under the WTO. Some of Australia's bound tariffs were high, 
particularly on textiles and clothing items, and a substantial number of tariff li nes remained unbound.  
6.6.  Some Members raised specific concerns or issues regarding aspects of Australia's system of 
indirect taxation, including recent amendments to extend the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to 
cross-border trade in digital products and services, and advantages acco rded to certain producers 
through the Wine Equalization Tax. The Luxury Car Tax, together with the proliferation of similar 
taxes at the state level, presented a distinct disadvantage to the exports of some trading partners. 
Australia was also called upon to reform its fiscal regime for offshore banking units.  
6.7.  Many Members pointed to Australia's agricultural sector as a highly successful outward oriented 
business with minimal tariff protection and low levels of domestic support. Noting the entry into 
force of the Biosecurity Act 2015 and related legislation, designed to modernize Australia's 
biosecurity system in a trade -facilitative manner, several Members nevertheless provided concrete 
examples of products that, in their view, continued to be subject to b arriers or measures that were WT/TPR/M/396 • Australia  
 
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  more trade restrictive than necessary. Australia was urged to ensure that its sanitary and 
phytosanitary regulations and requirements be consistent with the WTO Agreement on the 
Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measur es. A new country of origin labelling system, 
affecting many types of imported food, was also a subject of wide interest.  
6.8.  It was noted that Australia continued to be an active user of anti -dumping and countervailing 
measures, with steel products accountin g for more than 50% of the measures in force. Australia 
was encouraged to use trade remedies prudently going forward.  
6.9.  Some Members felt that, although Australia welcomed foreign investment in general, its review 
regime based on screening and evaluation of investment proposals against national interest criteria 
had been gradually tightened in a non -transparent manner. According to some Members, the 
Australian Government applied wide grounds for the screening of foreign investment that went 
beyond national se curity.  
6.10.   Australia received more than 500 advance written questions within the established deadline 
and, having opted for the alternative timeline, provided written replies to these and additional 
questions one week ahead of its Review. This TPR will be su ccessfully concluded once replies to 
further late questions and follow -up questions are received in one month's time. The large number 
of questions and active engagement across the WTO Membership in this TPR is ample testimony of 
the crucial role that Aust ralia plays in upholding, defending and enhancing the value and relevance 
of this institution. I congratulate Australia on the successful conclusion of this Trade Policy Review 
and reiterate my thanks to all delegations for their cooperation, good will and  assistance.  
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  7  ELECTION OF THE NEW CHAIRPERSON  OF THE TPRB  
7.1.  The airgram of 4 March 2020 (WTO/AIR/TPR/94/Add.1) presented us with an additional task 
today, that is the election of a new Chair. I sent you a message yesterday, informing you that, in 
the light of the very special circumstances, you would be invited to elect the new Chair in a somewhat 
unconventional fashion. Unless any objection would be raised by 12 noon on Thursday, 
12 March  2020, H.E. Mr Harald Aspelund , Permanent Representative of Iceland, s hould be 
considered officially elected as the new Chairperson of the TPRB.  
7.2.  I am pleased to note that no objections have come forward. I therefore congratulate 
Ambassador Aspelund upon his election.  
7.3.  As this is my last opportunity to address you in my capa city as Chairperson of the Trade Policy 
Review Body, I would like to thank you all for your cooperation and invaluable assistance. Since I 
was elected Chairperson at the end of the TPR of EAC Members on 22 March 2019, I have had the 
privilege to chair seve ral TPRB meetings: 12 meetings to consider Members' trade policies, and two 
meetings to consider the Director -General's trade monitoring reports. I also had the pleasure and 
honour to participate actively at the TPRM@30 Conference, which was an important m ilestone for 
the WTO. I am very grateful for the support given to me during this period by all Members, in 
particular the Members under review and the Discussants. I am convinced that the work we did in 
the TPRB over the past year has greatly contributed n ot only to increasing transparency in the 
multilateral trading system, but also generating useful and critical information for internal policy 
debate in the reviewed Members. During these uncertain times for the MTS, we should all devote 
our efforts at pre serving the TPRM and making more use of it.  
7.4.  I do wish to specially appreciate the TPR Secretariat team headed by Director Willy Alfaro who 
have shared the invaluable professional guidance and support.  
7.5.  Finally, I would like to wish Ambassador Aspelund a successful and rewarding year ahead as 
he is taking over my responsibilities.  
7.6.  With this, I declare this "virtual" meeting closed. I thank you for your engagement.  
__________