RESTRICTED  
  
WT/TPR/W/ 177 
20 April 2020  
(20-3070) Page: 1/54 
Trade Policy Review Body    
 
* In Original language only/ En langue originale seulement /En el idioma original solamente . 
  
AUSTRALIA  
DRAFT MINUTES  OF THE MEETING* HELD ON 11 AND 13 MARCH 2020 
Delegations are invited to submit factual corrections, if any, on their own statement to the 
Secretariat ( Mrs Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , or to  tprd@wto.org ) no later 
than 4 May 2020. 
 
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales  
 
AUSTRALIE  
PROJET DE COMPTE REN DU DE LA RÉUNION* TENUE LES 11 ET 13 MARS 2020  
Les délégations sont invitées à soumettre  leurs éventuelles corrections factuelles concernant leurs 
propres déclarations au Secrétariat ( Mme Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart @wto.org , ou 
tprd@wto.org ) le 4 mai 2020 au plus tard.  
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales  
 
AUSTRALIA  
PROYECTO DE ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN* CELEBRADA LOS DÍAS 11 Y 13 DE MARZO DE 2020  
Las delegaciones pueden enviar a la Secretaría (Sr a. Barbara Blanquart: 
barbara.blanquart@wto.org , o tprd@wto.org ) a más tardar el 4 de mayo de 2020  las 
correcciones fácticas que deseen introduci r en sus propias declaraciones.  
 
 
_______________  
 
  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 2 - 
 
  TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
 
AUSTRALIA  
DRAFT  MINUTES OF THE MEET ING 
Chairperson: H.E. Mr Manuel A.J. Teehankee (Philippines)  
CONTENTS  
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMA RKS BY THE CHAIRPERS ON ................................ ........................  3 
2  OPENING STATEMENT  BY THE REPRESENTATI VE OF AUSTRALIA  ................................ . 5 
3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT  ................................ ................................ .................  8 
4  STATEMENTS BY MEM BERS  ................................ ................................ ..........................  11 
5  REPLIES BY THE RE PRESENTATIVE OF AUST RALIA AND ADDITIONAL  COMMENTS  .... 48 
6  CONCLUDING REMARK S BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ ..........................  52 
7  ELECTION OF THE N EW CHAIRPERSON OF TH E TPRB  ................................ ..................  54 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 3 - 
 
  1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS  BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
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/94/Add.1, TPRB Members were invited to elect the 
new Chairperson, H.E. Mr. Harald Aspelu nd (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 elemen ts of procedures for the 
meeting. The report by Australia was contained in document WT/TPR/G/396 and that of the WTO 
Secretariat in document WT/TPR/S/396.  
1.4.  Questions by the following delegations were submitted in writing before the deadline: Republic 
of Kor ea; Canada; Israel; Switzerland; Costa Rica; European Union; Hong Kong, China; Chinese 
Taipei; Brazil; Colombia; Argentina; United States; Japan; Dominican Republic; Chile; China; 
Mexico; United Kingdom; Ukraine; Singapore; India; and Indonesia. The follow ing 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 o penness, 
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 macroeconomic principles and policies. Australia 
had been congratulated for trade -related reforms i n a number of areas. Nevertheless, Australia had 
been facing challenges relating to terms of trade effects, currency appreciation, an ageing population 
and continued over -reliance on the mining sector. It had also been noted that, although Australia 
encour aged foreign investment, it was also maintaining restrictions in certain sensitive sectors.  
1.6.  Australia had been commended for its commitment to the rules -based multilateral trading 
system and its active engagement in trade and investment liberalization acti vities within and outside 
of the WTO. Australia's strong WTO notification record had also been highlighted. Noting Australia's 
increasing involvement in RTAs, particularly 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. Many 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 t o 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 Australia's intention 
to accede to the rev ised 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 progress made in this area and had encour aged 
Australia, inter alia , to liberalize maritime cabotage. It was to be interesting to hear from Australia 
what developments had taken place since the last Review with respect to some of these issues.  
1.8.  The Secretariat and the Government reports confirmed  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 Australian Government 
provided economic stimu li 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 continued to increase in the national currency , while, measured in US dollars, it was now WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 4 - 
 
  around USD 55,000, a significant decline from almost USD 70,000 in 2012/13. All the same, these 
figures indicated a very comfortable standard of living overall.  
1.9.  Australia's current account deficit narrowed, in ma jor part because the merchandise trade 
balance had been in surplus since 2016/17, while receipts from tourism and education -related 
services had also been on the rise. Net flows of foreign investment into Australia averaged 
AUD 60 billion per year in the p eriod 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 accounted for nearly 60% of Australia's exports, and the reliance on 
Asian markets continued to  increase, particularly for imports. Asian markets currently absorbed 
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 re spect 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 bilateral 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 ma ssive 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 remained fully committed to a strong multilateral trading 
system and was actively engaged in ongoing negotiatio ns 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 footwear items. The maximum MFN rate was 
now 5%, and close to 50% of the tariff lines faced zero import duty on an MFN basis. However, 
these low rates also highlighted the discrepancy between Australia's present applied and bound 
regimes, including a simple average bound MFN rate of 9.8% and more than 200  six-digit tariff lines 
that remained unbound in full or in pa rt. 
1.13.   Australia received more than 550 advance written questions for this Review. Many of these 
questions touched upon important legislative developments in the period under review, such as the 
entry into force of the Biosecurity Act of 2015, two basic regul ations 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 proper ty; 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 inve stment proposals, and taxation issues.  
1.15.   Other areas of great interest to Members included: 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 of 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 topics, as well as others, would be touched 
upon in greater detail at Members' deliberations during the t wo days of the meeting.  
1.16.   The Chairperson closed his introductory remarks by wishing Australia a very successful eighth 
Trade Policy Review.  
  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 5 - 
 
  2  OPENING STATEMENT BY  THE REPRESENTATIVE OF AUSTRALIA (MR. GE ORGE MINA)  
Introduction  
2.1.  On behalf of Australia, I welcome our eighth 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 ro le, 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 interactive process leading up to today has been very extensive, and we 
thank them for that high le vel 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 would, of course, wish to extend particular thanks to Ambassador Julian Braithwaite, 
Permanent Repres entative 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 comprehensive report on 
our trade and economic policies.  
2.4.  Trade matters to Australia, and that’s why w e invest so heavily in the World Trade Organization. 
Australia’s economy is highly integrated with the global economy, particularly the Indo -Pacific 
region. Australia’s trade with the world is equivalent to a record 46 per cent of our GDP, compared 
to 40 p er 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 g lobal economic landscape. In fact, in 
the thirty years since our first Trade Policy Review, Australia’s open, globalized 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 and domestic challenges, including international trade 
tensions and other challenges such as the impact o f recent bushfires and the ongoing costs of the 
coronavirus outbreak.  
2.7.  Australia continues to provide the world -class produce, merchandise and tourism experiences 
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 a lso blurring. Increasingly services and technology are embedded 
across all of Australia’s export sectors and underpin future growth prospects.  
2.9.  While Australia 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. H igh 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, proximity to fast -growing markets, and strong 
rule of law make it an attractive destination for foreign inves tment.  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 6 - 
 
  2.12.   Australia has also sought to strengthen the competitiveness and overall performance of our 
economy through a range of reforms and regulatory changes. These include strengthening 
competition and consumer legislation, tax reform, increasing infrastruc ture 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 multilateral trading 
system. The hallmarks of our approach are a commitment to rules a commitment to openne ss. The 
WTO, its rules, and dispute settlement framework have enduring value and are essential to the 
stability of Australia’s external economic environment.  
Engagement in WTO reform  
2.14.   Australia is actively supporting efforts to ensure the WTO remains at th e core of a well -
functioning global trading system in the future. Updating the WTO rulebook, maintaining an effective 
dispute settlement system and addressing 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 the 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 business 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 environme ntal 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 dom estic regulation at MC12, which will benefit services 
suppliers globally.  
2.19.   Australia, along with Japan and Singapore, is also a co -convenor of the E -commerce JSI and 
Ambassador Lisson has ably and effectively chaired these important negotiations to the poi nt they 
are at today. In today’s technology -driven global economy, WTO rules for global digital trade, worth 
over US 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 Cairns 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 fair 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. That is why we need to prevent the very significant distortions that such 
levels of support could have on trade in agriculture.  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 7 - 
 
  Support to developing countries  
2.23.   Australia prioritizes support for developing countries to maximize the benefits for all of 
international 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 Sustainabl e Development Goals, the Australian Government set a target in 
June 2014 to increase Australia's aid for trade investments 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 al so continues to integrate gender equality and women’s economic empowerment 
into our aid for trade investments to support 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 it s 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 t o 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 Indonesia 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 trad e is now with countries 
with whom we have an in -force free trade agreement – a significant expansion on the 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 covere d 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 protectionis m 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 pr eserving 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.  
  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 8 - 
 
  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 source c ountry 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 Kin gdom 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 challe nges 
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 while ma intaining 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 increased . 
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 comp liance, 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 review 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 featu re 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 c ontinuing 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 challenge.  
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 Reserve Ba nk 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.' Ea rly 
implementation of these recommendations ought to provide greater confidence for the domestic and 
international business community.  
3.10.   Second, Trade Policy.  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 9 - 
 
  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 Agreemen t and last May joined the 
plurilateral Government Procurement Agreement. It is actively engaged 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 beginning 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, Aust ralia also pursues bilateral and plurilateral trade liberalization through a 
number of regional 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 negotiat ions with the 
European Union, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and India, as well as under the Pacific Alliance with 
Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership with 
ASEAN and other regional partners.  
3.13.   Third, future r isk. 
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 p art 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 report 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 diversified 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. We 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 raised 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 n umber 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 t ariffs. Since the last review, 
Australia has acceded to the Government 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 questions about Australia's 
investment regime, particularly the screening of foreign direct investment. Members were also WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 10 - 
 
  interested in Australia's electronic commerce measures, and its efforts to d evelop its digital 
economy.  
3.23.   In concluding my remarks, I would like 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 way s to assist small and medium -sized enterprises, including reducing 
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 o f the joint statement initiatives on MSMEs, 
domestic services regulation, 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 f rom 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.  
  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 11 - 
 
  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 c omprehensive and elaborate 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 continuous 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 grow th 
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 ent ered 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 othe r 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 WT O rulebook on fisheries 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 continue. 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 economic relationship with the 
Korea -Australia Free Trade Agreement at its center. In fact, 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 bilat eral 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 increasing 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 regard, 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 interested 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/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 12 - 
 
  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 State ment (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, the 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 necessary.  
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 d irection to facilitate trade and investment 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 my 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 Australi a. 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 is 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, including at the 
WTO. We welcome Aus tralia’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 Buenos 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 mem ber 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 this past 
January.  
4.18.   We congratula te 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 G roup 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 ag riculture 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 issues 
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 leadership 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/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 13 - 
 
  4.21.   Canada values Australia’s work to promote the economic development and participation in 
trade of Indigenous peoples in the Rotorua Group, 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 ide ntify 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 
concerns with respect to several of Aus tralia’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 Organization 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 assessment techniques developed by the W orld Organization 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 
virtually all aspects of trade and inves tment. 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 markets.  
4.24.   Through the CPTPP, we are al so 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 explore 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, ple ase 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 Australia to further protect and pro mote 
the multilateral rules -based trading system.  
ISRAEL  
4.26.   Israel would like to thank you, the discussant Ambassador Julian Braithwaite (United 
Kingdom), Australia and the Secretariat for the detailed reports. Israel also welcomes Mr. George 
Mina from Canber ra, as the Head of Delegation. Israel and Australia have had close ties that extend 
beyond economic and trade relations since the birth of Israel as a nation State.  
4.27.   Before delving into the TPR, Israel would like to share our 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 an 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 programme to enable cooperation between Australian and Israeli 
companies.  
4.30.   In broader economic matters, there is clear exp anded economic engagement –underpinned 
by the conclusion of several bilateral agreements. The latest one being a Double Taxation Agreement 
in March 2019, an Air  Services Agreement in February 2017, and a Working Holiday Agreement in 
June 2016, just to name  a few.  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 14 - 
 
  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 services trade amounted to nearly USD 1.3 billion. 
In 2018, Australian investment in Israel totaled USD 976 million and Israeli 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 2 019, 20 Israeli companies were listed on the Australian 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 financial 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 increase d 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 (FT As) 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 
regardi ng the allocation of tariff quotas to exporters 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 MC1 2. 
4.36.   Israel would also like to commend the 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 v ery 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 friend of the system but an impressively active Member in virtually all fora of this 
Organization.  
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 li nchpin of our economic policy. My delegation 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 resilien t 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 av ailable when conditions worsen.  
4.42.   And the 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 dete riorate. It is therefore reassuring to observe that Australia's external debt in large part 
is denominated in its own currency.   WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 15 - 
 
  4.44.   Looking at the trade statistics, one gets the impression that the Australian economy has 
perhaps become too dependent on the e xport 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 market s by becoming a signatory to the 
Regional 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 deviation – 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 made 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 the 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 hig h. Australia is a party to 
the G20 commitment 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 internati onal 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 delegation a successful outcome of this Trade Policy 
Review.  
COSTA  RICA 
4.53.   En nombre del Gobierno de Costa Rica quisiera dar una cordial bienvenida a la delegación de 
Australia, encabezada por el Señor George Mina del departamento de relaciones internacionales y 
comercio, así como al equipo de la Misión Permanente de Australia ante la OMC lide rado por la 
embajadora Lisson, a quienes agradecemos su informe y la presentación realizada esta mañana. 
Hago extensivo el agradecimiento también al ponente, el Embajador Braithwaite del Reino Unido, 
por sus valiosos comentarios, y a la Secretaría de la OM C por su informe y por su siempre valioso 
trabajo.  
4.54.   Costa Rica y Australia han mantenido históricamente una estrecha colaboración a nivel 
multilateral, particularmente en los trabajos ejecutados en el marco de la OMC. Nuestra relación 
está marcada por una v isión común sobre la importancia del comercio y la inversión internacionales 
como fuentes de desarrollo a través de la creación de empleo y prosperidad. Como Miembro fundador 
de la OMC, Australia ha jugado un papel fundamental en la conformación del Sistem a y continúa 
ejecutando un rol protagónico en las negociaciones para la reforma de la OMC.  
4.55.   Australia ha impulsado permanentemente la reforma del comercio agrícola y como 
coordinador del Grupo Cairns ha mantenido un liderazgo basado en evidencia y la ambici ón. Más 
recientemente, este liderazgo se ha traducido en el lanzamiento de una novedosa propuesta de 
marco de negociación en ayudas internas. Costa Rica apoya plenamente los trabajos de Australia de 
cara a la MC12 en esta área, e invitamos a otros Miembros  a unirse en la construcción de nuevos 
consensos en agricultura.  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 16 - 
 
  4.56.   También es importante destacar el papel activo de Australia en el proceso de reforma de la 
OMC, apoyando propuestas dirigidas a mejorar la transparencia y mantener el funcionamiento del 
Órgan o de Apelación. Australia también trabaja con Costa Rica en iniciativas conjuntas relacionadas 
con comercio electrónico, reglamentación nacional, pequeñas y medianas empresas; e inversión.  
4.57.   A nivel doméstico, Australia ha tenido una gestión macroeconómica s ólida desde su último 
examen de política comercial. Según el informe de la Secretaría, el país ha mostrado tasas de 
crecimiento cercanas al 2% anual en los últimos años; con un mercado laboral dinámico; una baja 
inflación y un entorno presupuestario le ha permitido dirigir los superávits hacia infraestructura.  
4.58.   A nivel comercial, el reporte de la Secretaría destaca la estructura arancelaria sencilla, con 
tipos arancelarios bajos que han tenido reducciones unilaterales en los últimos años. Australia 
muestra una relación sumamente dinámica con sus socios comerciales, mediante el establecimiento 
de acuerdos comerciales bilaterales y regionales exitosos, y sistemas de preferencias unilaterales. 
Por otro lado, el 5% de las líneas arancelarias no agrícolas aún no han sido consolidadas, lo que 
refleja la existencia de un espacio de mejora.  
4.59.   Australia también enfrenta importantes retos de largo plazo; incluyendo una alta 
concentración de las exportaciones sobre los productos minerales y la dependencia - comprensible 
por su posición geográfica - hacia los mercados asiáticos. En esa línea, damos la bienvenida a los 
esfuerzos desplegados por el gobierno australiano para implementar el Acuerdo sobre Facilitación 
de Comercio, simplificar y racionalizar el régimen reglamentari o - en especial para las pequeñas 
empresas - y diversificar la economía mediante políticas de apoyo a la innovación.  
4.60.   También debe abordarse la alta vulnerabilidad al cambio climático y a los desastres naturales, 
una preocupación que Australia y Costa Rica c omparten, y que nos invita a redoblar esfuerzos por 
avanzar hacia un comercio más sostenible en OMC.  
4.61.   Costa Rica también comparte con Australia preocupaciones sobre la mejora de la 
transparencia y certeza en la aplicación de medidas sanitarias y fitosanita rias en el comercio de 
productos agrícolas, tema sobre el que trabajamos activamente con Australia en los distintos comités 
de esta organización. Estas son áreas que hemos identificado como prioritarias para nuestra política 
comercial y que hallamos sumame nte atinentes en las discusiones que se desarrollan actualmente 
en el ámbito multilateral.  
4.62.   Costa Rica mantiene un profundo interés en las políticas nacionales que está desarrollando 
Australia en materia de desarrollo del sector turístico y seguirá con inte rés la implementación de sus 
políticas de adaptación al cambio climático, especialmente en lo referente al acceso al agua y manejo 
de sequías.  
4.63.   En el marco de este examen, Costa Rica presentó preguntas sobre incentivos fiscales, 
facilitación de comercio, si stema aduanero, políticas de inversión, programas de exportación, 
contratación pública, propiedad intelectual, comercio de servicios y digitalización. Agradecemos el 
gran esfuerzo dedicado por el equipo australiano a responder a estas preguntas, que serán 
analizadas con cuidado por parte de nuestras autoridades en capital.  
4.64.   Por último, quisiera agradecer una vez más a Australia por su reporte y la presentación 
realizada el día de hoy, y le deseamos grandes éxitos en este octavo Examen de Políticas 
Comerciale s.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
4.65.   The European Union would like to express its appreciation to the delegation of Australia, led 
by Mr George Mina (First Assistant Secretary, Office of Trade Negotiations), travelling all the way 
from Australia for this 8th TPR. The EU wou ld also like to thank the WTO Secretariat and the 
Government of Australia for their respective reports and the discussant, Ambassador Julian 
Braithwaite, for his remarks. Due to the emergency situation on Coronavirus this meeting takes 
place in a virtual m anner, but we encourage all Members to make the best of it even under these 
exceptional circumstances.  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 17 - 
 
  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 co mbined with the fostering of an 
outward -looking economy. Like everyone here, the EU still has in mind the dramatic bushfires that 
have been exceptional in terms of intensity, duration and impact on the populations concerned. The 
EU showed full solidarity w ith 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 lon ger 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 Australi a is currently investing in various 
renewable energy projects, which we strongly support. In our current bilateral FTA negotiations, we 
are also attaching great importance to the sustainable development chapter, as colleagues here are 
well aware since we h ad our own TPR last month.  
4.68.   During the review period, the Australian economy continued to internationalize. The Australian 
Government has sought to strengthen the overall performance of the economy through a range of 
reforms and regulatory changes. These in clude increasing infrastructure investment, reforming the 
regulatory environment and a plan for the development of the digital economy. The EU welcomes 
these sound macroeconomic policies and structural reforms. As acknowledged in the Secretariat 
report, tr ade 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 commercial 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 o f Foreign Direct Investment. In 2018, the value of total trade 
between the EU and Australia amounted to almost €48 billion. 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 sign ificant contribution to the 
multilateral trading system. The EU and Australia share the deep concerns about the crisis in the 
WTO and converge on the need to reform the Organization 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 initiatives 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 positive 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 Taxation 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 recommenda tions 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 disadvantage 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 WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 18 - 
 
  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 excellen t Review.  
HONG  KONG,  CHINA  
4.76.   I would like to extend a warm welcome to the Australian 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.  
4.78.   Our economic ties were further strengthened when the Free Trade Agreement and Investment 
Agreement between HKC and Australia entered into 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 acti ve 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 fo r 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 liberalizing the services markets to promote foreign investment.  
4.81.   On trade facilitation, we would commend Australia’s continued effort in simp lifying customs 
procedures.  Meanwhile, we are pleased to note that Australia has fully implemented its authorized 
economic operator programme, namely, the Australian Trusted Trader (ATT), under which accredited 
traders can enjoy priority treatment at bord ers.  ATT businesses also have 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 o n non -agricultural 
products for 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 co ntinue to foster our economic and trade cooperation with Australia, and 
collaborate further in promoting and defending the rules -based multilateral trading system . We 
thank Australia for its replies to our written questions and wish it a successful Trade P olicy Review.  
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 Affai rs and Trade; 
the rest of the delegation, including H.E. Ambassador Frances Lisson, Permanent Representative of 
Australia to the WTO; other colleagues from the Mission in Geneva; and the discussant, 
H.E. Ambassador Julian  Braithwaite (United Kingdom).  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 19 - 
 
  4.86.   The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen 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 expan d coverage to 201 more products in the Information 
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 n egotiations. 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 founding member of the Asia -Pacific Economic 
Cooperation (APEC) forum in 1989 and one of the founding members of the comprehensive and 
Progressive Agreement for Trans -Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). We value Austra lia as an important 
partner and trusted friend in 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 regi stered between Australia and the Separate Customs Territory of 
Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen 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 ex cellent record, there are some areas 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 ant i-dumping 
and countervailing measures 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, including 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 e ffectiveness and challenges encountered 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 provide d 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 for their reports, as well as de discussant, 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 the y played in the preparations for this 
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 uninterrupted 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 f or the rules -based global trading system. This is a value which WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 20 - 
 
  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 al ive. 
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 impro vement. 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 proce ssing 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 negotiati ons here at the WTO. We commend Australia's 
long-standing leadership in the Cairns Group. We share Australia assessment that "agriculture 
remains the most distorted sector of international trade" and we fully agree that we need to find 
ways to promote prog ressive 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 pro vide 
answers to those.  
4.100.   Let me conclude by wishing the Australian delegation a very successful trade Policy Review.  
COLOMBIA  
4.101.   En primer lugar, deseamos expresar nuestro saludo de bienvenida a la distinguida delegación 
de Australia para este Examen, encabezad a por George Mina, Oficina de Negociaciones Comerciales 
y también a la Embajadora Lisson y a su equipo en Ginebra. Agradecemos asimismo a la Secretaría 
por el completo informe y al Embajador Braithwaite (Reino Unido) por las pertinentes contribuciones 
realizadas como ponente.  
4.102.   La economía australiana se ha caracterizado en las últimas décadas por su resiliencia, 
alcanzando un crecimiento ininterrumpido de alrededor de 30 años. En parte gracias a una rigurosa 
política monetaria y cambiaria acompaña por una p olítica fiscal enfocada en apoyar los objetivos 
económicos del gobierno por medio del aumento del gasto en infraestructura, enseñanza, atención 
de salud y atención a la tercera edad.  
4.103.   En comercio exterior, Australia cuenta con una canasta exportadora relativamente 
concentrada en productos minerales representando alrededor del 60% del total. En cuanto a 
destinos, el principal mercado es China con un 34%. En estos dos puntos, uno de los p ocos del 
examen, en donde vemos una oportunidad de mejora para buscar diversificar su canasta 
exportadora de productos. En lo relativo a las importaciones, el panorama es diferente ya que están 
diversificadas tanto en productos como en destino, donde las m áquinas y el material eléctrico, la 
categoría más importante, representa solo un 25,3%, seguido por material de transporte (14,7%) 
y productos minerales (14%). En cuanto a destinos, China es el principal proveedor con el 24%, 
seguido por UE28 (18,3%) y Est ados Unidos (11,1%).  
4.104.   Es de destacar el rol de la agricultura del país que contribuye de forma significativa a la 
economía y representa alrededor del 14% de las exportaciones de mercancías. La ayuda del gobierno 
es limitada, centrada en la gestión de riesg os, la conservación del medio ambiente y la prestación 
de servicios generales, y no brinda subvenciones para el sostenimiento de los precios del mercado. 
Es impresionante también la explotación agrícola en el país que ocupa y gestiona algo más del 48% 
de la superficie terrestre de uno de los piases más grandes del mundo. Además, gracias a su cultura 
exportadora del sector, destinan el 77% de la producción al exterior, liderando las exportaciones de 
carne de ovino y de caprino, el segundo de lana y colza, el  tercero de carne de bovino y azúcar, y 
el quinto de algodón. Es por esto que también destacamos el liderazgo de Australia en el desempeño 
de su política agrícola, así como en las negociaciones en la OMC dentro del grupo Cairns.  
4.105.   Pasando a las relaciones co merciales bilaterales, desde el 2014 Colombia ha obtenido un 
balance positivo en la balanza comercial, donde las exportaciones de bienes no -minero energéticos 
participan con el 99% del total principalmente en café y flores. Las importaciones están WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 21 - 
 
  diversif icadas y se destacan aparatos eléctricos, máquinas para alimentos y bebidas y máquinas de 
perforación. Presentando una gran oportunidad para ambos países ya que Australia ocupó el en 
2018 apenas el puesto 53º como destino de las exportaciones de Colombia c on una participación del 
0,13% sobre el total vendido al mundo y se ubicó como el 56° proveedor de bienes, con el 0,10% 
de las compras colombianas al mundo. A su vez, nos encontramos negociando un acuerdo con la 
Alianza del Pacífico (Chile, Colombia, Méxic o y el Perú) y Australia para que el grupo amplié su área 
de integración a través de la libre circulación de bienes, servicios, capitales y personas de las partes.  
4.106.   Para finalizar, permítanos destacar la labor constructiva que ha jugado Australia a favor d el 
fortalecimiento del sistema multilateral del comercio. Entre otras cosas, es líder y proponente en 
diferentes negociones como lo son agricultura, pesca y comercio electrónico, por lo que los 
alentamos a continuar su compromiso para lograr resultados sig nificativos en la próxima conferencia 
ministerial.  
ARGENTINA  
4.107.   Quisiéramos asociarnos a los Miembros que han dado la bienvenida a la delegación 
australiana, presidida por el señor George Mina, Primer Secretario Adjunto de la Oficina de 
Negociaciones Comerci ales de Australia.  
4.108.   Agradecemos los informes elaborados por Australia y la Secretaría, los cuales nos han 
permitido actualizar nuestro conocimiento de las políticas y prácticas comerciales de este Miembro. 
Agradecemos, asimismo, la presentación realizada po r el ponente, su Excelencia el Embajador 
Braithwaite del Reino Unido.  
4.109.   Antes que nada, la Argentina desearía transmitir un mensaje de solidaridad y apoyo al 
Gobierno de Australia por los incendios forestales que han afectado al país en los últimos meses. 
Sabemos que estos incendios han golpeado profundamente a distintas regiones.  
4.110.   La Argentina quisiera destacar el crecimiento sostenido que la economía australiana ha 
tenido en los últimos años. Este crecimiento ha estado fundado sobre la base de una economía 
diversificada que ha logrado sortear con éxito la última crisis financiera mundial. El sistema de 
ventanilla única de Australia es una herramienta importante para la facilitación del comercio. De su 
sistema regulatorio valoramos los esfuerzos para reducir c argas administrativas para las micro, 
pequeñas y medianas empresas (MIPYMES), como también así los orientados a incentivar la 
expansión de su sector digital.  
4.111.   La Argentina mantiene un sólido vínculo político y comercial con Australia. Mantenemos 
estrechos l azos en el campo del uso pacífico de la energía nuclear, como lo demuestra la provisión 
por parte de la empresa estatal argentina INVAP de un reactor para la investigación nuclear. 
Creemos, también, que existe potencial en el campo del comercio y las inver siones, la agroindustria, 
la energía, la minería y las altas tecnologías. Estamos convencidos, además, que podrían fortalecerse 
las capacidades de ambos países como exportadores de alimentos y minerales. La reunión de 
consultas bilaterales mantenidas en el  año 2017 en Buenos Aires, como así también las visitas de 
alto nivel, son canales de diálogo bilateral que esperamos profundizar en los próximos años.  
4.112.   Existen, también, sólidos lazos bilaterales de cooperación técnica en materia agropecuaria, 
como así tam bién diálogos permanentes de alto nivel en el sector agrícola. Los campos científicos y 
tecnológicos constituyen asimismo áreas de creciente vinculación que aspiramos a fortalecer.  
4.113.   La República Argentina desea resaltar la activa participación de Australia en las 
negociaciones para alcanzar un acuerdo en Subsidios a la Pesca y en las distintas Iniciativas 
Conjuntas iniciadas durante la 11ª Conferencia Ministerial, en especial la de Comercio Electrónico 
que coordina. La Argentina y Australia participan de man era conjunta, entre otros, del Grupo Cairns 
de Miembros agroexportadores. Nuestro país valora positivamente la intensa colaboración que existe 
entre nuestras misiones permanentes en Ginebra para lograr resultados sustantivos en materia de 
Ayuda Interna a l a agricultura en la Duodécima Conferencia Ministerial de la OMC (CM -12) en 
Nur-Sultán.  
4.114.   En relación con la agricultura, vemos con buenos ojos que los niveles de ayuda otorgada a 
los agricultores sean limitados y que Australia no recurra a medidas de sosteni miento de precios. En WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 22 - 
 
  este sentido, cabe mencionar que los programas existentes en Australia solo se centran en 
cuestiones puntuales como la gestión de riesgos, la conservación del medio ambiente y la prestación 
de servicios generales.  
4.115.   Es digno de mención , asimismo, que Australia sea uno de los pocos Miembros de esta 
Organización cuyos aranceles consolidados para productos agropecuarios son significativamente 
inferiores a los aranceles consolidados para los productos no agropecuarios. Ello da cuenta de los  
esfuerzos para lograr un mercado internacional de alimentos libre, los cuales compartimos y 
apoyamos.  
4.116.   A pesar de lo anterior, observamos con preocupación la implementación de medidas de 
protección sanitaria y fitosanitaria que, en ciertas ocasiones, podrí an tener un impacto negativo en 
el comercio con otros Miembros, afectando de manera particular a los productos de origen agrícola.  
4.117.   En el marco de este examen de política comercial, la Argentina presentó a Australia 
preguntas vinculadas con sus políticas d e innovación, la promoción del acceso de productos agrícolas 
a su mercado y las políticas de innovación agroindustriales. Las respuestas proporcionadas serán 
analizadas en detalle por nuestras autoridades en Buenos Aires.  
4.118.   La Argentina ve en Australia un Mi embro comprometido con el sistema multilateral de 
comercio. Además de su buen historial en el cumplimiento de las obligaciones de transparencia, 
Australia ha ratificado desde su último examen de las políticas comerciales el Acuerdo sobre 
Facilitación de Co mercio (AFC), aplicando de manera plena los compromisos en todas las categorías. 
Asimismo, Australia se ha visto involucrada en la conclusión de una serie de acuerdos comerciales 
regionales nuevos, como el Acuerdo Global y Progresivo para la Asociación Tra nspacífica (CPTPP) y 
los Acuerdos de Libre Comercio con Japón y China.  
4.119.   Para terminar, quisiéramos subrayar una vez más la importancia de este ejercicio de 
transparencia en todos sus aspectos y desear a las autoridades australianas la exitosa conclusión de 
este Examen, el octavo de sus políticas comerciales.  
UNITED  STATES  
4.120.   We would like to warmly welcome Mr. George Mina and the rest of the Australian delegation, 
and compliment the Government's thorough report for its eighth Trade Policy Review. We appreciate 
Ambassador Frances Lisson's ongoing contributions to this institution 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 econom ic and trade policy. We also 
appreciate Australia's written responses 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 with 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 commend s 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 servi ces has more than 
doubled since 2004, the year before the FTA entered 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 Agree ment continues to progress smoothly and that both 
sides remain committed 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 WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 23 - 
 
  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 continui ng our work toward an 
agreement that establishes high -standard commitments 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 enga ging 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 ar eas where it can further liberalize its regime and enhance its competitiveness.  
4.126.   As a leading trader 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 several changes to its biosecurity 
system in order to modernize the regulatory framework and facilitate trade while managing risks 
from imported products. We welcome ch anges that reduce duplication, enable more efficient risk 
assessments, and make systemic improvements 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.  
4.128.   We also note tha t 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 it s regulations and import requirements for beef and 
other products.  
4.129.   With regard to intellectual 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 lear n more about 
Australia's IP 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 Aus tralia's 
closest friends and 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 express 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 Secretariat 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 process as o ne 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 acti ve engagements in the WTO. In particular, 
Australia is leading several ongoing negotiations in the WTO, such as the services DR negotiation as WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 24 - 
 
  well as the e -commerce negotiation that it has been co -convening with Japan and Singapore. We 
trust that Australi a will make further contributions 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 applied 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 policies such as these, and like other Asian countries, has developed a good 
strategic partnership with Australia. We ha ve concluded our bilateral FTA, which entered into force 
in 2015, as well as the CPTPP, which entered into force in 2018, to further strengthen 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 implementation of commitments across all categories, as well as in the expansion of the 
Information Technology Agreeme nt (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 improve d 
4.136.   We believe there are, however, areas that Australia can improve on. In particular, Australia 
has introduced several new measures in the areas of SPS and TBT. We understand the importance 
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 changes 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 that 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 decreasing of the deficit in trade in services. In particular, we recognize that tourism 
is one of the promising areas in Aust ralia’s services industry. I myself would love to visit the country 
to enjoy its beautiful cities, landscapes and oceans.  
Conclusion  
4.139.   I would like to conclude my statement by expressing once again our appreciation for 
Australia’s efforts to promote the mult ilateral trading system.  
4.140.   We wish Australia a successful and productive TPR, and look forward to hearing of further 
progress regarding its trade and investment policies at its next TPR.  
REPÚBLICA  DOMINICANA  
4.141.   En primer lugar, deseamos saludar a la delegación de Australia, encabezada por el 
Sr. George Mina, Jefe de delegación, a su Excelencia la Embajadora Frances Lisson, Representante 
Permanente de Australia ante la OMC y demás miembros que nos acompañan en el día de hoy.  
4.142.   La República Dominicana comparte estr echos lazos de amistad y comerciales con Australia. 
El comercio total entre nuestros países ha venido creciendo en años recientes, siendo los dispositivos 
médicos, equipos eléctricos y los textiles nuestras principales exportaciones a Australia, por otro WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 25 - 
 
  lado, los aceites animales y vegetales, carnes, acero, papel, vinos y medicamentos nuestras 
principales importaciones.  
4.143.   Es menester indicar que hoy en día nuestro país es el principal socio comercial de Australia 
en el Caribe Insular, con un intercambio come rcial de USD 47.24 millones en 2019 a pesar de los 
más de 17,000 kilómetros de distancia entre nuestros países.  
4.144.   En este octavo Examen de políticas comerciales, deseamos felicitar a Australia por sus 
fuertes cimientos económicos, fundamentados en una econom ía abierta y transparente que le ha 
permitido experimentar crecimiento significativo y casi ininterrumpido durante los últimos 30 años.  
4.145.   En lo que se refiere al estado de la economía australiana, observamos que, frente a los 
desafíos de la economía mundial,  durante el período 2018 -2019, Australia experimentó un 
crecimiento de 1,9% en su PIB. Un resultado que a pesar de estar en línea con el crecimiento 
experimentado por las economías avanzadas en el mismo periodo quedó por debajo de su 
crecimiento anual prom edio de 2,6% que reportó el país entre 2012/13 y 2017/18.  
4.146.   Notamos que Australia cuenta con una economía diversificada, con flexibles mercados 
laborales y de mercancías, solidas instituciones, prudentes políticas macroeconómicas y un sistema 
cambiario flexi ble, además de estar favorecida con una alta incidencia de recursos naturales. Estos 
factores han propiciado que durante el periodo que cubre este examen los flujos internos netos de 
IED a Australia hayan alcanzado en promedio anual alrededor de AUD 60 mil  millones, siendo minería 
y canteras el sector receptor más significativo, pero mostrando dinamismo en otros como las 
manufacturas, servicios financieros y de seguros, y las actividades inmobiliarias.  
4.147.   Al mismo tiempo Australia es un importante inversor en  el extranjero, con un stock de capital 
invertido que a 2018 superaban los AUD 695 mil millones.  
4.148.   En el contexto de la política comercial, la República Dominicana observa positivamente la 
ratificación de Australia del Acuerdo sobre Facilitación del Comercio  en 2015 y su adopción de todos 
los compromisos del Acuerdo desde su entrada en vigor en febrero de 2017. Australia completó 
oportunamente la notificación de sus puntos de contacto para el intercambio de información, 
medidas sobre el uso de agentes de adua nas, enlaces a legislaciones y procedimientos relevantes, 
así como información sobre su ventanilla única de comercio exterior.  
4.149.   Nuestro país observa con atención el desarrollo del sector servicios en Australia, el cual ya 
constituye el 72% de su PIB. Conta ndo como sectores clave como los bienes raíces; construcción, 
Finanzas y Seguros, comercio, servicios profesionales, entre otros. De manera similar, Australia se 
ha constituido en un referente mundial en exportaciones de servicios educativos, turísticos, m édicos, 
técnico - científicos, entre otros. La participación del comercio total de servicios en Australia 
incremento su porcentaje de participación en la economía australiana de 8,9% a 9,8% durante el 
periodo de este examen.  
4.150.   La República Dominicana reconoce los esfuerzos de Australia para promover un régimen de 
comercio internacional basado en reglas y en la resolución ordenada de disputas al ser uno de los 
contratantes originales del GATT y miembro fundador de la OMC. Al mism o tiempo, no queremos 
dejar de esbozar nuestra preocupación con respecto a ciertas medidas adoptadas por Australia que 
restringen el comercio, específicamente las que conciernen al empaquetado genérico de los 
productos del tabaco.  
4.151.   Finalmente, queremos agr adecer la oportuna respuesta de Australia a las preguntas 
realizadas por la República Dominicana sobre distintos puntos contenidos en el informe. Asimismo, 
reconocemos los esfuerzos de las autoridades australianas y aprovechamos la ocasión para 
felicitarle s y desearles muchos éxitos en este examen de política comercial y en el futuro.  
CHILE  
4.152.   Saludamos a la delegación de Australia, encabezada por el Sr. George Mina, Primer 
Secretario Asistente de la Oficina de Negociaciones Comerciales, Departamento de Asunto s 
exteriores y Comercio de Australia, y felicitamos a este país por ser parte una vez más de este 
necesario ejercicio de transparencia.  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 26 - 
 
  4.153.   Un cordial saludo, asimismo, a la Representante Permanente de Australia, la Embajadora 
Frances Lisson, y al excelente e quipo de esa Misión ante la OMC.  
4.154.   Queremos, igualmente, agradecer la presentación efectuada por el Representante 
Permanente del Reino Unido, embajador  Julian  Braithwaite, así como el excelente trabajo realizado 
por la Secretaría y por el Gobierno de Austral ia, en cuanto a la preparación de sus respectivos 
informes.  
4.155.   Chile y Australia mantienen una relación de confianza y cooperación, que se expresa a través 
de profundas coincidencias tanto en el ámbito comercial como en el político y valórico. En este 
sentido , tanto Chile como Australia consideran importante contribuir a la estabilidad y predictibilidad 
del escenario económico mundial, y valoramos la contribución que el sistema multilateral de 
comercio puede aportar a ese propósito. En este sentido, hemos coin cidido y cooperado con 
Australia, así como con otros actores, en favorecer la igualdad de oportunidades en todo aspecto, la 
contribución de la mujer en el comercio internacional, el fomento de un desarrollo sostenible, en el 
impulso de la pequeña y mediana  empresa, el impulso de la innovación, la economía digital y la 
movilidad de personas, entre otras.  
4.156.   Chile y Australia comparten el convencimiento de que el comercio justo y libre, basado en 
reglas, es una herramienta efectiva para impulsar el bienestar, el  empleo y la prosperidad. Al mismo 
tiempo, ambos países se vinculan fuerte y activamente a través de acuerdos económico -comerciales 
bilaterales y subregionales, que han potenciado las oportunidades de crecimiento y expansión para 
personas y empresas. Por l o mismo, somos activos participantes en APEC y OCDE, a la vez que 
destacamos la participación de Australia como Estado Observador de la Alianza del Pacífico (AP) 
desde noviembre del año 2012. Ambos países apuntamos a ser puerta de entrada y conexión a 
nuestras respectivas regiones.  
4.157.   En el ámbito bilateral, la relación económica y comercial entre Chile y Australia se enmarca 
en el Tratado de Libre Comercio firmada por ambos países el 30 de julio de 2008 y que entró en 
vigencia el 6  de marzo de 2009. Se trata de un acuerdo comprehensivo que, además de establecer 
la eliminación completa de aranceles en el comercio entre ambos países, regula una amplia variedad 
de temas comerciales y cuenta, a su vez, con un capítulo especial de solución de controversias. Este 
acuerdo ha permitido profundizar nuestro comercio bilateral total el que, durante 2019, alcanzó los 
USD 506 millones, representando un crecimiento de 5,2%, respecto del 2018. Por otra parte, la 
inversión directa acumulada australiana en nuestro país alcanzó los USD 4.612 millones en 2018, 
en tanto que la inversión chilena en Australia sumó, ese mismo año, cerca de USD 890 millones.  
4.158.   Australia ha tenido un importante éxito económico durante las últimas décadas el que se ha 
basado en la solidez de su política ma croeconómica, las reformas estructurales implementadas y el 
auge de las materias primas. Actualmente, es una de las economías más desarrolladas y abiertas 
del mundo, siendo uno de los 10 principales exportadores mundiales de productos agropecuarios en 
2018. Todo ello, hace de Australia un ejemplo de gran interés para Chile.  
4.159.   Si bien las actividades económicas ligadas al sector primario siguen siendo importantes, 
destacamos positivamente el hecho que su economía esté diversificada, predominando el sector de 
los servicios, cuya contribución representa más del 72% del PIB. Asimismo, posee unos mercados 
laborales y de productos, flexibles y se sustenta en firmes disposiciones institucionales, sólidos 
marcos reglamentarios, políticas macroeconómicas prudentes, un régimen cambiario flexible y una 
cuenta de capital liberalizada. Los desembolsos hechos en investigación y desarrollo, como medidas 
de estímulo económico, nos parecen también ejemplos de gran interés.  
4.160.   En el ámbito de la facilitación del comercio, nos pare ce destacable la utilización de la 
"ventanilla única" y otras medidas como herramientas que facilitan el comercio internacional, así 
como felicitamos los esfuerzos desplegados por simplificar y racionalizar el régimen reglamentario, 
en especial en favor de  las pequeñas empresas. Por otra parte, nos parece de gran interés la 
implementación del "Examen Harper" el que ha motivado la introducción de un conjunto de 
disposiciones legislativas encaminadas a abordar de mejor manera las conductas anticompetitivas y 
fomentar, al mismo tiempo, el comportamiento en favor de la competencia.  
4.161.   En la esfera de la actividad agrícola, destacamos las similitudes entre ambos países en 
términos que la ayuda que se entrega al sector es limitada, lo cual constituye una de los objet ivos WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 27 - 
 
  fundamentales de nuestra membresía en el Grupo Cairns. Otro aspecto que observamos con 
atención es el tema del acceso al agua, el cual es un reto importante para ambos países. En este 
sentido, vemos con interés la serie de medidas de asistencia adopta das por Australia para hacer 
frente a las severas condiciones de sequía como la implementación del "Fondo para la Lucha contra 
Futuras Sequías".  
4.162.   Asimismo, la intensa y profunda relación comercial entre Chile y Australia se ha traducido, 
entre otras cosas,  en recíprocas solicitudes de información sobre temas regulatorios y de acceso a 
mercado. Entre éstas cabría mencionar el interés de Chile por poder contar con las respuestas de 
las autoridades competentes respecto de la información enviada por el Servicio  Agrícola y Ganadero 
de Chile (SAG) al Ministerio de Agricultura y Recursos Hídrico de Australia, en 2019, en el marco del 
Análisis de Riesgo de Plagas aplicado por éste último sobre la palta, o aguacate, variedad Hass, 
producida en Chile. Asimismo, desear íamos poder contar con alguna novedad respecto del interés 
expresado por el SAG en 2018, para exportar equinos vivos a Australia. En ambos casos, 
agradecemos desde ya a Australia por las gestiones realizadas y aquellas por realizar.  
4.163.   Otro ámbito de gran int erés para Chile es el Plan Nacional de Productividad Energética 2015 -
2030 de Australia, que busca utilizar la energía de manera más eficaz, fomentar la inversión en 
innovación y en el desarrollo de los recursos energéticos, y que se fija como objetivo una mejora 
del 40% en la productividad energética para finales del período. Al respecto, se realizaron una serie 
de preguntas en este ámbito principalmente orientadas a la producción y comercialización de 
hidrógeno.  
4.164.   Australia, además de ser un actor de gran re levancia el sistema comercial internacional, 
sigue siendo un firme defensor de un sistema multilateral de comercio basado en normas y, por lo 
mismo, un destacado Miembro en el trabajo de la OMC. Asimismo, es un promotor activo de una 
mayor liberalización d el comercio en tiempos difíciles para la economía mundial. Estos son hoy, a 
nuestro juicio, principios fundamentales y por ello los destacamos.  
4.165.   Para este Examen, Chile formuló 19 preguntas que abarcaron una serie de temas que son 
del interés de nuestro paí s con el fin de mejorar la relación comercial bilateral. Junto con agradecer 
las respuestas entregadas, le deseamos a Australia una exitosa revisión de su octavo examen de 
política comercial.  
CHINA  
4.166.   I warmly welcome the Australian delegation travelling a l ong 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 
Procurement. Moreover, Australia is also actively participating in discussions on e -commerce, 
investment facilitation 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 t he 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 tightened 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 undermined the confidence of Chinese investor s. WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 28 - 
 
  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 of Australia.  
4.171.   Second, Australia excluded Chin ese 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 concrete 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 bilateral economic cooperation in 
China, I once aske d 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 in voking 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, keeping 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 comin g 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 rapid growth of the bilateral trade 
since the signi ng 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 technical cooperation programs, and my right hand Ma dame 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 isolated 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.  
MÉXICO  
4.175.   México da la más cordial bienvenida a la delegación de Australia, encabezada por el 
Sr. George Mina, Primer Secretario Adjunto de la Oficina de Negociaciones Comerciales. Asimismo, 
mi delegación agradece al Embajador Julian Braithwaite por su puntual análisis.  
4.176.   Quiero aprovechar la oportunidad para destacar y reconocer la muy activa labor de la Misión 
de Australia, encabezada por el Embajadora Frances Lisson, así como de su Gobierno por su 
compromiso con el sistema multilateral de comercio, mismo que se hace patente en su liderazgo y 
activa participación en las iniciativas conjuntas particu larmente en comercio electrónico. Finalmente, 
quiero agradecer a la Secretaría de la OMC por la elaboración de su informe.  
Relación comercial bilateral  
4.177.   En este período bajo examen, la relación bilateral de México con Australia ha tenido un 
desarrollo impor tante a través de la firma del CPTPP, un acuerdo que cuenta con disciplinas 
comerciales profundas que, sin duda, permitirán seguir fortaleciendo nuestra integración y relación 
comercial, y nos brindarán más herramientas para enfrentar los retos comerciales  que el entorno 
económico internacional nos presenta.  
Situación económica en general  
4.178.   Impulsar una economía abierta y volcada al comercio exterior, sin duda ha sido un factor 
clave para que Australia tenga casi 30 años de crecimiento económico continuo, man teniendo su 
posición estable dentro de las principales economías del mundo. La sólida gestión macroeconómica 
y los marcos reglamentarios adecuados le ha permitido sortear las recientes crisis y mantenerse al 
margen del proteccionismo, demostrando la resist encia de su economía durante el período de 
examen.  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 29 - 
 
  4.179.   Sin embargo, como lo ha indicado el FMI, el crecimiento económico a corto y mediano plazo 
está expuesto a importantes riesgos externos e internos, por lo que el gobierno deberá ser cauteloso, 
dados al men os los siguientes retos:  
i. La dependencia de las exportaciones de bienes y servicios australianos a China, debido a la 
contracción en la demanda y crecimiento económico chino; las recientes tensiones 
comerciales y los efectos negativos por la epidemia COVID -19. 
 
ii. Las fuentes de vulnerabilidad como la situación del mercado de la vivienda, el bajo 
crecimiento de los ingresos y el consumo interno aún débil.  
 
iii. Las situaciones climáticas adversas que podrían aumentarse por el cambio climático y que 
afectarían a uno  de sus sectores más importantes, la agricultura.  
 
iv. Continuar estimulando el incremento en los niveles de productividad. Tenemos confianza 
que las medidas implementadas como el gasto en infraestructura, apoyos a PYMES y 
fomento a la investigación y desarrol lo, van en la dirección correcta.  
Política comercial  
4.180.   Encomiamos la política comercial de Australia, que busca la diversificación de su comercio 
internacional y la inversión extranjera directa, la cual busca promover una economía mundial más 
abierta, más c ompetitiva y basada en normas internacionales.  
4.181.   Asimismo, reconocemos la activa participación de Australia en las negociaciones en curso en 
la OMC y su interés por modernizar las reglas, tanto en temas innovadores que atienden retos del 
siglo XXI, como en temas tradicionales y sensibles, como son las negociaciones sobre la agricultura.  
Comercio de bienes  
4.182.   Notamos la creciente participación del mercado asiático como destino de más del 84% de 
las mercancías exportadas por Australia, y el origen de más del 62% de sus importaciones. 
Asimismo, destacamos la dependencia de los productos minerales en las exportaciones, las cuales 
representan el 60% del total.  
4.183.   En contraste con otros miembros desarrollados, el nivel de protección es mayor para los 
productos industrial es que los agrícolas, mientras que destacamos que un 5% de las líneas 
arancelarias no agrícolas permanecen sin consolidar. Aplaudimos los esfuerzos de liberalización de 
Australia en el comercio de bienes, lo que se ha traducido a condiciones de libre comer cio NMF para 
casi la mitad de las líneas arancelarias, mientras que el resto mantiene un arancel de 5%.  
4.184.   Tomamos nota de los cambios legislativos en materia de medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias, 
esperamos que el examen de condiciones de comercio y los aná lisis de riesgo mediante procesos 
regulados abonen a una mejora en las condiciones de aplicación de estas medidas y resuelvan las 
críticas de retrasos que fueron realizadas en su pasado examen.  
Comercio de servicios  
4.185.   Reconocemos la importancia del sector de  los servicios en la economía australiana, el cual 
representa más del 72% del PIB. Respecto al sector financiero, notamos la fuerte concentración del 
sistema bancario en 4 bancos considerados de importancia sistémica y que representan cerca del 
80% de los activos del sector. En el subsector de los seguros, esperamos que las recomendaciones 
derivadas del informe de la Comisión Real de 2019 logren transformarse en medidas que impidan 
que las conductas  fraudulentas se repitan.  
Cierre  
4.186.   Por último, agradezco a Australia las respuestas a las preguntas formuladas por mi 
delegación y le deseamos mucho éxito en el presente Examen.  
  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 30 - 
 
  UNITED  KINGDOM  
4.187.   Thank you Chairperson and I am pleased to add my welcome to the delegation of Australia. 
Austra lia 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 K ingdom would like to thank Australia for its timely responses 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 congratu late 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 Australia and enduring 
econo mic 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 Australia’s third -largest sou rce 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 appreciation for Australi a’s active role and support for 
the rules -based multilateral trading system.  
4.192.   In particular, we commend Australia’s efforts to modernize the WTO and support the Joint 
Initiative discussions on both Domestic Regulation in Services and E -Commerce, and we loo k 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 which 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 enterprises in accessing global markets. In 2018, 88% of UK 
goods exporters 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 Hu bs 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 opportunity to encourage Aus tralia to reconsider their approach to domestic taxes that 
disproportionately affect imports, such as the Luxury Car Tax and Alcohol Excise Duty.  
4.197.   We hope to see the UK -Australia relationship strengthened further in the future. The UK is 
committed to negot iating 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 beyond trade. Our relationshi p 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 look forward to continuing  to work 
closely with Australia in the WTO and more widely.  
  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 31 - 
 
  UKRAINE  
4.200.   On behalf of the delegation of Ukraine, I would like to welcome the distinguished delegation 
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 delegation of Australia for their 
comprehensive Government re port.  
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. Julian 
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 agriculture.  
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 agricultural 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.   Ukraine sees great potential for furt her 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 gr atitude 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 furth er strengthening of 
our bilateral relations.  
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 t hank Australia for its Government report and statement. 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 
multilateral trading system. This is especially important during these challenging times and 
Australia's contributions towards strengthening all three pillars of the WTO are laudable.  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 32 - 
 
  • First, Australia has made significant contribution towards updating the WTO's rule -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 closely 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 proponent 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 enhance 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 Cou ncils 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 Sing apore 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 Arbitrati on 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 fro m 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 t hat 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, Singapore was Australia's 6th largest foreign investor with FDI 
of USD 56.7 billion while Australia's FDI into Singapore increased 10.8% to U SD13.6 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 -Austra lian 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 
10-year roadmap titled "Project 2025", that cov ers collaboration in a wide range of areas 
from defence to trade.  
4.213.   To conclude, Singapore looks forward to continuing 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 range 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 WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 33 - 
 
  for the period of 2020 -2024, which was adopted in 2019 at the Post Ministerial Conferences (PMC+1) 
in Bangkok, Thailand. The Plan of Action will further enhance ASEAN -Australia cooperation in all 
dimen sions over the next five years.  
4.215.   Economic and trade relations between ASEAN and Australia steadily expanded in the past 
years. Two -way merchandise trade between ASEAN and Australia valued at around USD 66.2 billion 
in 2018, making ASEAN Australia's third -largest trading partner. FDI from Australia to ASEAN 
reached USD 28.0 billion in 2018, making Australia ASEAN's seventh 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 to integrating Australia's econo my 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 s erve 
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 projects. These ensure the FTA 
impleme ntation to achieve broad economic integration and improve business utilization. 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 Tra de 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 notificatio ns 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 multilater al 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 
Geneva. 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 succe ss 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 take this opportunity 
to congratul ate 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 mill ions of women in sports across 
the world. I would like to also thank the Government of Australia and the Secretariat for the excellent 
reports prepared for the review and Ambassador Julian Braithwaite of United Kingdom for his 
insightful comments as a disc ussant.  
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 strong, vibrant and multi -cultura l 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 elevatio n 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 significantly in recent years. 
The bilate ral trade in goods and services was US$ 19 billion (AUD 29 billion) in 2017 -18 with India WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 34 - 
 
  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. S everal 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 years. 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 the 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 
appar el 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 urge 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 framework 
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 investigation 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 vis a 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 written questions to 
Australia on th is 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 multilat eral 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, Office of 
Trade Negotiations, Mr George Mina and the delegation of Australia for their eight Trade Policy 
Review this year.  
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 rati fied 
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 moment only account for around two percent of In donesia’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 through 
increasing market access for Indonesia  products including automotive, textile, rubber, furniture, 
electronics, paper, food and beverages, and foster the development of creative industry and e -
commerce. Moreover, we believe that the IA -CEPA could generate opportunities for Indonesia’s WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 35 - 
 
  service a nd 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 bi llion or an increase of 1.3% 
from the previous year. However, if we compare the 2018 figures with 2015, 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, I ndonesia 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 our 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 expa nding 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 our 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 partner ship, we underline the need to energize trade, investment and business relations, 
to advance our strategic 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 Trade Policy Review, 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 
comprehen sive 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 r egime.  
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 withst anding a number of external 
economic shocks. We express our support and wish success to Australian Government in overcoming 
the consequences of the devastating bushfires tragedy in 2019.  
4.241.   Over the years, the Russian Federation and Australia have been devel oping bilateral 
economic cooperation in many areas, including trade and investment, energy sector, natural 
resource extraction and technological innovations. During the review period, our trade turnover 
showed a slight upward trend, amounting to USD 812 mi llion in 2018.  
4.242.   However, we believe that the trade potential between our countries remains largely 
untapped due to non -economic reasons. Russia remains deeply concerned with a number of 
unilateral restrictive measures imposed by Canberra, which lead to mut ual economic, trade and 
investment losses. We reiterate our request to Australia to withdraw all unfounded restrictions, which 
negatively affect our bilateral trade.  
4.243.   We see mutually beneficial and equitable trade as an effective and constructive tool not o nly 
for the promotion of peace and development, but also for the promotion of dialogue and respect, 
which are essential in these turbulent times.  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 36 - 
 
  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 conclusion, we would like to thank you, Mr. Chairman, the delegation of Australia, the 
Secretariat and the discussant, for the impressive work done so far and wi sh Australia a successful 
Trade Policy Review.  
ICELAND  
4.246.   Iceland would like to welcome the distinguished delegation of Australia to their eighth Trade 
Policy Review 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 developin g enhanced fisheries subsidies 
disciplines in the WTO. Iceland congratulates Australia for its commitment 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 th eir continued support for 
the multilateral trading system. We wish the delegation of Australia every success for their Trade 
Policy Review.  
MALAYSIA  
4.252.   Malaysia is pleased to take part in the 8th Trade Policy Review of Australia. 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 
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 from 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 exports 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%), WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 37 - 
 
  liquefied natural gas (15.4%), other mining (13.8%), metalliferous ores and m etal 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 mult ilateral 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 (I TA-2), as well as 
its assistance given to the developing and least -developed countries (LDCs) in implementing 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 chairing 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 continu ous 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 resp onses and we shall examine the responses with 
great interest. We wish the Australian delegation a productive 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 a nd 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 an d 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 Trade Agreement, underpins this close 
trade and economic relationship. The Trans -Tasman Travel Arrangement provides a single labour 
market and access to a larg er pool of skills, talents and ideas.  
4.265.   Since 2004, the Single Economic Market (SEM) agenda has driven 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 ne gotiations 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 int ernational trade.  We 
are grateful for Australia's work as Chair of the Cairns Group, including working towards an outcome 
from MC12 on disciplines to limit trade - and production -distorting agricultural domestic subsidies.  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 38 - 
 
  4.268.   Together we are also committed to  seeking an ambitious and comprehensive outcome on 
fisheries subsidies by the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in June.  
4.269.   Complementing our bilateral and multilateral efforts we are also active together in regional 
settings. Since Australia's last trade poli cy review, New Zealand and Australia have worked closely 
to conclude the Comprehensive and Progressive 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 emphasize the value we place on the exceptionally close working relationship 
New Zealand enjoys with Australia as we seek to progress our wide range of multilateral, regional 
and bilateral initiatives.  
PERÚ  
4.271.   La delegación peruana sa luda atentamente a todos los presentes, y da la más cordial 
bienvenida a la delegación de Australia, en especial al señor George Mina, Secretario Alterno de la 
Oficina de Negociaciones Comerciales de Australia, quien encabeza la delegación, y a la Embajado ra 
Frances Lisson, Representante Permanente de Australia ante esta Organización.  
4.272.   Agradecemos al Jefe de la delegación de Australia por la detallada exposición sobre las 
políticas comerciales de su país, así como al Embajador Julian Braithwaite, Representan te 
Permanente del Reino Unido, por sus valiosos comentarios como ponente. De igual manera, 
expresamos nuestro alto aprecio por su dedicación, señor Presidente, así como por el trabajo llevado 
a cabo por la Secretaría para este examen.  
4.273.   El Perú tiene el agra do de participar en este ejercicio exponiendo algunos comentarios 
respecto al sistema económico -comercial de Australia, Miembro de esta Organización con el que 
tenemos una importante relación bilateral, cooperando en diversos temas de la agenda 
internacion al. 
4.274.   En primer lugar, el Perú constata en el informe de la Secretaría una serie de desarrollos 
positivos en la economía australiana, entre los que se puede destacar el alto nivel de empleo, la 
diversificación de la producción, la atracción constante de inversión extranjera, y el manejo prudente 
de los factores macroeconómicos principales. De igual manera, es interesante la información 
consignada sobre las políticas australianas para la promoción del comercio de servicios, la mejora 
de la pol ítica de competencia, el fomento de la economía digital y del gobierno electrónico, entre 
otras.  
4.275.   Los informes revelan también lo que es evidente en el quehacer diario en esta Organización; 
es decir, el alto grado de participación de Australia en las difere ntes áreas de trabajo de la OMC. En 
este sentido, saludamos el compromiso y la dedicación de la Embajadora Frances Lisson y de los 
colegas de la Misión Permanente en Ginebra. El Perú coincide con Australia en sus numerosos 
esfuerzos por llegar a resultados  concretos en las diferentes negociaciones e iniciativas en el marco 
de esta Organización, así como para mantener la vigencia y la eficacia de su mecanismo de solución 
de diferencias. Colaboramos en el Grupo Cairns en materia de agricultura, somos parte de l grupo 
"amigos de los peces" para lograr una solución al problema de las subvenciones a la pesca; 
coordinamos frecuentemente para obtener un resultado en materia de reglamentación nacional de 
servicios en la próxima Conferencia Ministerial; y nos abocamos  a conocer en qué medida podemos 
seguir trabajando en la OMC por el empoderamiento económico de la mujer mediante el comercio; 
entre otros temas que son de gran relevancia para esta Organización y que apoyan mayores grados 
de liberalización y de participac ión en el comercio internacional, entendidos como factores favorables 
al desarrollo.  
4.276.   Cabe señalar igualmente que este trabajo común no se agota en la OMC, sino que también 
se puede observar en otras Organizaciones con objetivos económicos, como lo son el F oro Económico 
Asia-Pacífico (APEC) y la Alianza del Pacífico.  
4.277.   Otro ámbito en donde es preciso poner de relieve la política comercial australiana, es en lo 
que concierne a los acuerdos comerciales regionales. Los informes preparados para este Examen 
dan cuenta de una gran actividad de Australia en este ámbito en el pe ríodo bajo examen. Como es WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 39 - 
 
  natural, el Perú tiene el agrado de subrayar el éxito de la negociación del Acuerdo de Libre Comercio 
entre el Perú y Australia, que ha entrado en vigor en febrero de 2020, hace pocas semanas. 
Coincidimos con Australia en que la importancia de dicho Acuerdo no se agota en el acceso a 
mercados, sino que engloba también el fomento de las inversiones, la protección de la propiedad 
intelectual, el fomento del comercio de servicios, un capítulo de desarrollo, entre otros asuntos. Si 
bien es cierto que nuestro comercio se ha poco más que duplicado en los últimos diez años - 
alcanzando aproximadamente 330 millones de dólares estadounidenses en 2018 -, sabemos que 
existen muchas oportunidades de negocios que restan por desarrollar, y confi amos en que nuestro 
Tratado de Libre Comercio nos conducirá a aprovechar estas oportunidades y alcanzar mayores 
grados de integración en un marco de reglas claras y previsibles.  
4.278.   Mi delegación ha planteado una pregunta en el marco de este Examen para conoce r en 
mayor detalle las políticas que Australia ha venido implementando para fomentar una mayor 
participación de la mujer en el comercio internacional, como parte de su interés en conocer mejores 
prácticas en la materia. Agradecemos la respuesta de Australi a a nuestra interrogante.  
4.279.   Habiendo dicho esto, agradecemos nuevamente por los esfuerzos para llevar a cabo este 
Examen, y deseamos a Australia un exitoso Examen de sus políticas comerciales.  
TURKEY  
4.280.   We would like to welcome the Australian delegation to thei r eighth Trade Policy Review.  
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 i s diversified, with flexible labor 
and product markets and is supported by strong institutional arrangements, and sound 
macroeconomic policies. During the review period, Australia endorsed several policy tools to 
stimulate demand and to boost domestic econ omic 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 righ t priorities for the country and served as a good blueprint to guide foreign 
trade and enhance international competitiveness. We also commend the great performance of 
Australia in expansion of its FTA network, accounting for 70 % of Australia's two -way tra de 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 inter national trade and have 
ensured constructive contributions to global trade governance.  
4.285.   We are happy to see progress in our bilateral trade relations in recent years. Our total trade 
volume reached approximately to USD 1.7 billion last year (2019 Trade Vol ume: 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 awar eness 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.  
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 WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 40 - 
 
  advancing trade negotiations in agriculture and fisheries, as well as their leadership in joint initiative 
on e-commerce. We also app reciated 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 c ontribution to the daily activities under this roof.  
4.289.   Turkey will continue its close and fruitful dialogue with Australia in both bilateral and 
multilateral platforms. We wish Australia a successful Trade Policy Review.  
THAILAND  
4.290.   At the outset, Thailand wo uld like to associate itself with ASEAN statement delivered by 
Singapore.  
4.291.   Thailand welcomes this opportunity to participate in the 8th Trade Policy Review of Australia. 
We are honored to extend a warm welcome to Mr. George Mina and his delegation to Genev a. 
4.292.   We would like to thank you, Chair, for your comprehensive summary, the discussant, 
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 eco nomic relationship with Australia has grown strongly since the entry 
into force of the Thailand -Australia Free Trade Agreement in January 2005. Trade in goods has 
tripled since 2004, from USD 4.7 billion in 2004 to USD 14.2 billion in 2019. Australia is cu rrently 
Thailand's 9th largest trading partner, while Thailand is Australia's 8th largest trading partner and 
its biggest import source in ASEAN. Australian investment stocks in Thailand were valued at 
USD 660 million at the end of 2019. These figures desc ribe a substantial economic relationship, and 
we will continue 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 contribut ed to uninterrupted growth for nearly three decades. 
Australia'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 constructive 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 Facilita tion Agreement.  
4.296.   Equally important, Thailand appreciates Australia'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 
initiative 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 Tariff 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 c ontinuing this, in our 
common goal of upholding the multilateral trading system. We wish Australia a successful 8th Trade 
Policy Review.  
GUATEMALA  
4.299.   En nombre de Guatemala, saludo cordialmente a la delegación de Australia, encabezada por 
el Sr.  George Mina Primer Secretario Adjunto de la Oficina de Negociaciones Comerciales.  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 41 - 
 
  4.300.   De igual forma, agradecemos a la Secretaría por el informe y análisis realiza do para este 
examen, así como al Embajador de Reino Unido, Sr. Julián Braithwaite, por su intervención como 
ponente el día de hoy y la panorámica tan completa que compartió con nosotros sobre la política 
comercial de Australia.  
4.301.   Guatemala y Australia sosti enen desde hace varias décadas una relación positiva, basada en 
importantes lazos de cooperación en diversas áreas. En el ámbito comercial, como miembros del 
Cairns Group, nuestros países han unido esfuerzos para promover la reforma del comercio agrícola. 
Nuestro trabajo de cooperación se vio también reflejado en el Consejo de Seguridad de las Naciones 
Unidas en 2013, cuando Australia y Guatemala participaron como miembros no permanentes de 
dicho Consejo. Otro elemento importante de nuestro trabajo en conju nto ha sido la participación de 
Australia como observador extra regional del Proceso de Integración Centroamericano (SICA), desde 
2011.  
4.302.   Nuestro intercambio comercial se basa principalmente en el intercambio de café, aceites y 
materias vegetales (productos  exportados por Guatemala), así como papel y sus derivados, 
productos lácteos, vegetales procesados y tubería (productos importados de Australia). En el año 
2019 Australia ocupo el puesto 48 entre las exportaciones de Guatemala y el 66 en las 
importaciones . La balanza comercial ha mostrado un incremento sostenido en los últimos años y 
consideramos que tienen gran potencial de crecimiento un número importante de sectores, tales 
como alimentos y bebidas, productos de manufactura y productos relacionados con t ecnología de la 
información. Consideramos que la plataforma de diálogo sostenida en foros como el Consejo para 
las relaciones entre Australia y América Latina (fundado en 2001 por el Gobierno australiano), así 
como el Foro de Cooperación Asia del Este -Amér ica Latina (FEALAC por sus siglas en inglés), 
contribuyen a acercar la comunicación e identificar oportunidades de trabajo en conjunto.  
4.303.   En relación con la evaluación que hoy se realiza sobre la política comercial de Australia, 
resaltamos la política de ap ertura sostenida por las autoridades de este país a pesar de la crisis 
económica, así como la reducción de requisitos en materia de documentación, la consolidación del 
despacho de aduana automatizado, así como la implementación de importantes medidas de 
facilitación del comercio.  
4.304.   Cabe destacar la entrada en vigor de la Ley de Bioseguridad (2015) y otras normativas en 
esta materia que se convierten en un elemento novedoso dentro del ámbito de las medidas sanitarias 
y fitosanitarias.  
4.305.   En materia de propiedad  intelectual la iniciativa "Australia 2030: innovar para prosperar", 
dentro del Programa Nacional de Innovación y Ciencia, convierte a la innovación como una 
plataforma para el desarrollo económico, estableciendo apoyo y fomento a las empresas innovadoras 
ampliando nuevos sectores de mercado y cadenas productivas.  
4.306.   Guatemala reconoce los esfuerzos realizados por Australia durante el período estudiado en 
este informe.  
4.307.   Agradecemos las respuestas a las preguntas planteadas en el marco de este examen y 
deseamos  a la delegación que hoy los representa, una exitosa conclusión de su examen de políticas 
comerciales.  
PHILIPPINES  
4.308.   The Philippine delegation warmly welcomes and congratulates the delegation of Australia 
headed by First Assistant Secretary George Mina and t heir 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 
establis hment of our diplomatic relations in 1946 . Australia and the Philippines' long -standing trade WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 42 - 
 
  and the continued expansion of our people -to-people links underpin our deepening bilateral 
relationship. To further deepen the bilateral links between our two cou ntries, we signed the Joint 
Declaration on the Australia -Philippines Comprehensive Partnership on 18 November 2015 which 
demonstrates our commitment to strengthen and expand our relationship in a manner that is 
mutually beneficial.  
4.311.   Australia is an importan t 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 t he Philippines are 
wheat, meat of bovine animals, coal, and petroleum oils, 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 re silience of the Australian 
economy has facilitated 28 years of continuous 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 
Enterpris es (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 continue 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 Philipp ines 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 Review. I would like to thank the Government of Australia 
and the WTO Secretariat for the preparation of comprehensive reports for this review. My thanks 
also go to the discussant, His Excellency  Julian Braithwaite, Amb assador and Permanent 
Representative, UK Mission to the WTO, UN and Other 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 Review, 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 enh anced trade 
liberalization 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 recent 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 signif icantly by 19% to over USD 4.5 billion. Viet Nam’s 
major export items to Australia are telephone all types and components, computers and electronic WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 43 - 
 
  products and components, and footwear and two -way trade is targeted to reach USD 10 billion in 
2020.  
4.321.   In term s 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 sanitar y and phytosanitary 
requirements that 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 req uirements 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 commit ments made to each other in this Agreement, 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, Vi et 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 
negoti ations 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 negot iation 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 team for the preparation of this Review as well as their constructive and active contribution 
and engagement in WTO activities and wish Australia a successful Trade Policy Review.  
PARAGUAY  
4.326.   STATEMENT NOT PROVIDED.  
URUGUAY  
4.327.   Uruguay desea brindar la más cordial bienvenida a la delegación de Australia, encabezada 
por el Primer Secretario Asistente de la Oficina de Negociaciones Comerciales, Sr. George Mina, en 
oportunidad del octavo examen de sus políticas comerciales. Asimismo, agradecemos al Embajador 
Julian Braithwaite por su ponencia, y a la Secretaría por su info rme de alta calidad.  
4.328.   Resultan particularmente destacables la resiliencia de la economía australiana, que ha 
facilitado casi 30 años de crecimiento ininterrumpido; sus firmes disposiciones institucionales; los 
sólidos marcos reglamentarios y sus políticas m acroeconómicas prudentes. Australia logró hacer 
frente a las perturbaciones económicas internacionales gracias a una economía abierta y 
diversificada, orientada a impulsar el potencial de crecimiento y a mantener un régimen de comercio, 
inversión e inmigra ción abierto. Igualmente destacables han sido los denodados esfuerzos del 
Gobierno por mitigar el impacto económico de la devastadora temporada de incendios forestales que 
atravesó el país a fines de 2019 y principios de 2020.  
4.329.   En lo que refiere a la relaci ón bilateral, Australia ocupó el lugar N° 59 como destino de las 
exportaciones uruguayas. Entre los productos exportados se destacan aquellos derivados del 
plástico, artículos de ortopedia, transformadores eléctricos, arroz y caviar. Entre los productos 
importados, resaltan los productos de hierro, la lana, la hulla y las semillas. A efectos de coadyuvar 
a estos intercambios mutuamente beneficiosos, Uruguay y Australia decidieron revisar el Acuerdo 
de Promoción y Protección de Inversiones, vigente desde 200 2, encontrándose dicha revisión en 
trámite parlamentario para su entrada en vigor. Igualmente, contamos con un Acuerdo de 
Intercambio de Información Tributaria, en vigor desde el 1° de julio de 2014.  
4.330.   Australia y Uruguay coinciden en que la única manera de afrontar los retos actuales del 
comercio mundial es preservando y fortaleciendo el sistema multilateral de comercio, herramienta WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 44 - 
 
  fundamental para asegurar un comercio abierto, equitativo y previsible. En ese marco, compartimos 
la importancia de actualizar la normativa de la OMC y de mantener un sistema eficaz de solución de 
diferencias. Es por ello que hemos decidido trabajar juntos en el establecimiento de medidas de 
contingencia que permitan apelar los informes de los Grupos Especiales de la OMC, en la fo rma de 
un Arreglo Multiparte Interino de Arbitraje.  
4.331.   Uruguay y Australia han sido históricos socios cooperantes en materia de negociaciones 
agrícolas multilaterales. Esta cooperación se remonta a la creación del Grupo de Cairns, en el año 
1986, durante el l anzamiento de las negociaciones de la Ronda Uruguay. En dicho espacio, bajo la 
coordinación de Australia, abogamos por una verdadera, amplia y efectiva reforma del comercio 
agrícola en la OMC en sus tres pilares: acceso a los mercados, ayuda interna y comp etencia de las 
exportaciones.  
4.332.   Otra área de gran coincidencia entre nuestros países se viene dando en las negociaciones 
para la reforma de los subsidios a la pesca, y en particular aquellos que promueven la pesca ilegal, 
no declarada y no reglamentada, así como los que fomentan la sobrecapacidad y la sobrepesca. En 
este sentido, Uruguay copatrocina con Australia cinco propuestas de textos de negociación de corte 
ofensivo en esta materia.  
4.333.   Asimismo, compartimos intereses en las iniciativas plurilaterales de re gulación doméstica en 
materia de servicios, comercio electrónico, facilitación de las inversiones y en el Grupo Informal 
sobre MIPYMES.  
4.334.   Para Uruguay, las políticas destinadas a la promoción de las MIPYMES constituyen un tema 
de gran relevancia. En este sen tido, encomiamos los esfuerzos del Gobierno australiano por reformar 
el marco reglamentario en el que operan las PYMES, a fin de reducir al mínimo las trabas 
reglamentarias. Asimismo, celebramos la creación de la figura del Defensor de las Pequeñas 
Empresa s y las Empresas Familiares en el año 2016, con el propósito de defender los intereses de 
las mismas.  
4.335.   Para finalizar, quisiéramos reiterar nuestro reconocimiento por este nuevo ejercicio de 
intercambio sobre las prácticas comerciales de Australia, al tiemp o de felicitar al equipo de la Misión 
de dicho país en Ginebra, encabezada por la Embajadora Frances Lisson, por su trabajo y 
participación activa en esta casa. Les deseamos una exitosa conclusión del presente Examen.  
JAMAICA  
4.336.   Jamaica is pleased to particip ate 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 recognize 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 contributions which have certainly serve d 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 coop eration 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 Australia 
were valued at approximat ely USD 18 million and mainly comprised meat products.  
4.339.   Jamaica's main exports to the country are alcoholic beverages, including beer, rum and other 
spirits.  
4.340.   In terms of investment, there has also been increasing interest by Australia in Jamaica's 
mining se ctor. In March 2019, Queensland -based environment technology company, Phibion, 
established operations in Jamaica, which involves the provision of waste management services to 
the bauxite mining sector. Jamaica looks forward to strengthening its engagement with Australia in 
these and other areas in the coming years.  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 45 - 
 
  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 for Australia which is 
recognized as a world -class provider of professional services, financial serv ices, energy and mining -
related services, environmental services and financial technology. In addition, Australia remains 
among the top 10 agricultural exporters in the world, with agricultural, forestry and fisheries 
products accounting for 15.2% of the c ountry'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 acknow ledge the constructive and proactive engagement of Australia, as an 
important member of the WTO, in the negotiations and regular work programme 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 congratulates the delegation of Australia and extends best wishes for a 
successful Trade Policy Review.  
SRI LANKA  
4.345.   NO STATEME NT 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 syst em, 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 multilateral 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 maintained 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 Aust ralia would consider expanding its scope of support to include some developing countries, 
such as Mauritius, that are facing difficulties in fulfilling their category C commitments due to limited 
access to funding and capacity building programmes.  
4.351.   We congr atulate Australia for its efforts to open up trade opportunities to signatories of 
Regional Trade Agreements, Preferential Trade Agreements and Free 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.  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 46 - 
 
  4.352.   Mauritius further commends Australia for its contribution in developing rules in new areas 
related to trade such as investment fa cilitation, 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 a nd 
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 
problems faced by small businesses. 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 commercialize their Intellectual 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 this regard.  
4.356.   To conclude Mr Chairman the Mauritius delegation wishes the Australian delegation a 
successful and f ruitful 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 producing 
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. Austr alia'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 efforts 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 review 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 o f Tajikistan highly appreciates the hard work 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 of Trade Negotiations. We thank Mr. George for WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 47 - 
 
  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 Division 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 o f over 2.5% during the period of three years, 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 i ts efforts and active participation in upholding existing rules and building up rule -based 
multilateral system. Even though Cambodia is not a member of E -Commerce Joint Statement 
Initiative (JSI), we are aware that Australia has led this process in a trans parent and inclusive 
manner. We encourage Australia 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 l ed 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 D FQF market access under the Australian System 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 cooperation, Cambodia associates itself with the statement made by 
Indonesia/Vietnam on behalf of ASEAN Member States. Cambodia acknowledges the great efforts of 
both sides working towards achieving the ASEAN -Austral ia 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 continued actions and support by Australia since the adoption of the ASEAN -Australia -
New Zealand Free Tra de Agreement (AANZFTA) in 2010.  
4.370.   In bilateral relation, Cambodia and Australia established diplomatic relations since 1952, and 
Australia has been recognized as a strong supporter for the Cambodian Peace Process. Since then 
Cambodia and Australia have main tained 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 mar kets; and import 
from Australia around USD 60 million. We appreciate the Official Development Assistance (ODA) 
provided by Australia to improve access to infrastructure, increase agricultural productivity, promote 
better health and education as well as pro mote 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 
commitm ent 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 Australia a successful and meaningful conclusion of its 8th TPR.  
  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 48 - 
 
  5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF AUSTRALIA  AND ADDITIONAL  COMMENTS  
Introduction  
5.1.  Mr Chairman, in this second session of Australia's eighth Trade Policy Review, I would like to 
start by expressing 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 days. We are grateful for all your efforts and creativity which ensured 
our TPR could proceed this week through this innovative virtual end to the p rocess.  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, t he TPR process is a rigorous one. The time and effort involved in 
responding to the nearly 600 questions is substantial. However, it is a process that Australia 
welcomes. This reflects Australia’s firm belief that the global trading system functions best w hen its 
Members are open and transparent about their trade and economic policies.  
5.5.  Australia is committed to improving 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 statements 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 h as 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 kee nly 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 promo te digital trade, 
while also ensuring privacy and improving other protections for consumers.  
Foreign investment  
5.10.   Several Members raised questions regarding Australia’s foreign investment review regime.  
5.11.   Let me reiterate that Australia welcomes foreign inves tment for the important and beneficial 
role it plays in the economy. Australia’s foreign investment framework strikes a balance between 
ensuring Australia remains an attractive investment destination and maintaining the community’s 
confidence in foreign in vestment – which is critical to ensure continued support for foreign 
investment and the many benefits it provides.  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 49 - 
 
  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 maximizes 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 Government 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 A ustralia since 2010, only four 
proposals have not been approved.  
Anti-dumping/Trade remedies  
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 liberalization to 
allow increased market access. The capacity to respond to anti -competitive pricing practices by 
overseas suppliers is a crucial element in the Australian Gov ernment's capacity to maintain business 
and community support for Australia's open trade policies.  
5.17.   Dumped and subsidized 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 subsidized 
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 measur es 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 Aust ralia’s biosecurity regime, including how risk 
analysis is carried out through a Biosecurity 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 minimize the risk of these pests and diseases from 
entering Australia to protect Australia’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 o r a non -regulated risk analysis identifies if a proposed imported good meets 
Australia’s appropriate 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 unde rtaken a BIRA since the Biosecurity Act 2015 came into force on 
16 June 2016. However, Australia has completed numerous non -regulated import risk analyses for 
a range of trading partners.  
Tax treatment  
5.24.   Several Members raised Australia’s tax regimes, partic ularly 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 s hould only be levied in Australia when consumption of the product or service 
supplied occurs in the 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/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 50 - 
 
  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 appropriat e cases. These principles align with the agreed OECD 
International VAT/GST Guidelines.  
5.25.   We hope this explanation also helps to clarify any concerns that Australia’s GST constitutes a 
de facto circumvention of the moratorium on electronic transactions. The G ST 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 consum er confusion about country of origin 
food labelling that had existed for a long time. Consumers had been calling for changes to simplify 
origin claims on foods and to make them clearer, more meaningful and easier to find. Businesses, 
though recognizing 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 Australia’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 the se 
principles has never been more important for Australia.  
5.29.   On behalf of Australia, I would like to thank once again all Members for your active and 
constructive engagement throughout Australia’s TPR process. Our thanks also go to our Chair, 
Ambassador Tee hankee, 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 star t 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 ensuring that the review went for ward 
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 Mechanism. Thanks are also due to al l 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 s tatements 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 Members, 
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 role as 
one of the co -conveners o f 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 Trade and Women’s Economic Empower ment. 
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 Inf ormation Technology Agreement. 
At a time when the WTO is under stress, Members clearly welcome Australia’s continued commitment 
to the Organization.  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 51 - 
 
  5.33.   In any good performance review, it is not enough to look at what has been done well.  It is 
just as import ant 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 mentioned in previous Trade Policy R eviews, 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 food and agriculture sectors. Oth er 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 t he 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 briefly on other trade policy action s 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 w ould 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 regulatory and tax 
burdens, and help ing 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 ex tensive 
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 h ealthy return home.  
  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 52 - 
 
  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS B Y 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 
exceptional 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 t hat provided advance written questions and 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 uninterrupted 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, includin g 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 bus hfires and the prevalence of the coronavirus, 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 participat ion in almost 
all fora. Australia's broad, 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 discus sions 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 p ursuit of enhanced transparency within the 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 qu ota-free market access 
for LDCs and extensive 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 service s, and advantages accorded 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. Notin g 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, contin ued to be subject to barriers or measures that were WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 53 - 
 
  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 an d Phytosanitary Measures. 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 st eel products accounting 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 screen ing 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 w ent 
beyond national security.  
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 Revie w. This TPR will be successfully 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 Australia 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 coop eration, good will and assistance.  
  WT/TPR/W/ 177 • Australia  
 
- 54 - 
 
  7  ELECTION OF THE NEW CHAIRPERSON OF THE T PRB 
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, should be 
considered officially elected as the new Chairpers on 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 capacity as Chairperson of the Trade Policy 
Review Body, I woul d 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 several TPRB meetings: 12 meetings to consider Members' trade p olicies, 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 milestone for 
the WTO. I am very grateful for the support gi ven 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 not only to increasing transparency in the 
multilateral trad ing 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 preserving the TPRM and making more use of it.  
7.4.  I do wish to s pecially 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 r esponsibilities.  
7.6.  With this, I declare this "virtual" meeting closed. I thank you for your engagement.  
__________