MOTIONS › Opportunities for the Agricultural Sector
Senator XENOPHON (South Australia) (15:40): I seek leave to make a short statement. The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute. Senator XENOPHON: It pains me to say so, but I cannot support Senator O'Sullivan. It is not because I do not support the mango industry, which is a wonderful Australian industry. Simply attaching a subparagraph at the end of that motion saying that if you oppose a free trade agreement you oppose the mango industry is, I suggest, not a fair way of putting the question. I support free trade agreements but I do not support Australia's sovereignty being compromised, and that is something I am happy to discuss with Senator O'Sullivan, who I have great respect for. The ISDS clauses do compromise Australian sovereignty, and I just want to set my concerns about the motion, commend Senator O'Sullivan for his passionate advocacy of Australian agriculture, in particular the mango industry, but note that clause (d) is a deal breaker. Question agreed to.