Senator BILYK (Tasmania) (15:24): I'm just trying to take in whatever that— Senator Shoebridge: Rant? Senator BILYK: Yes, 'rant'—thank you—that rant from the other side based on some ideological view that they know everything and we know nothing. So much rubbish I just heard, a complete waste of five minutes of my life—and let me tell you that every minute of my life is very important to me. It was a complete waste of five minutes of my life. As my colleague Senator O'Neill was saying, we have a brilliant new minister in Senator Farrell, and— Senator Birmingham: She's talking you up, Don! Senator BILYK: Well, I am talking him up because I know that Senator Farrell understands agriculture. I know that he understands agriculture, I know that he knows what we're doing and I know that he knows his portfolio area. So I'm happy to build you up as much as I can, Senator Farrell! But the point is, as Senator Farrell said earlier, that we will continue to do exactly what we said we would do in opposition: we will look after everybody in that supply chain of agriculture. We will do that. There are 16 free trade agreements in force and the Australian government—that's us, you guys; it's us now, not you!—recognises the importance of opening new trade opportunities for our agricultural industries, and we're working really hard with trading partners to do this. Senator Farrell said in his answer that he had met with the European ambassadors today. Great! That's so good. It's amazing that after two months we're off and running, whereas in the nine years—nearly 10 years—when you guys were in government you did bugger all! Bugger all! You did nothing! Senator Scarr: You just had a meeting! Senator BILYK: He had a meeting: it's called 'consultation'; it's called 'negotiation'. It's not just a meeting, Senator Scarr. It's what leaders of countries and ministers of countries do to come to agreement. You might not understand that; we know your government had a different way of working. Your government was all about the photo-ops and not about the delivery. It was all about announcements and not about any delivery. Your government— Senator Van: It was an effective one! Senator BILYK: To hear Senator McGrath carry on about something that happened when we were previously in government, 10 years ago—and to hear you guys jump up every question time and take points of order on the fact that we haven't done something in two months, when you had that nine years, is just laughable—the people out there listening will be just falling off their chairs listening to Senator McGrath's rant, knowing how ideological it was and understanding that we on this side are working for the betterment of all Australia. Some of the accusations that Senator McGrath made, quite frankly, I think were disorderly. I understand that the Deputy President did think he was, 'vaguely relevant', and I'll take that point— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Scarr on a point of order. Senator Scarr: Yes, Deputy President, in terms of personal reflections. I'm concerned that Senator Bilyk is going close to the line of reflecting on our Deputy President. She was casting aspersions with respect to whether or not things were disorderly— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: I think Senator Bilyk was trying to cast aspersions on Senator McGrath! Senator Bilyk, I'd ask you to restrain your language and raise the decorum of the chamber. Senator Scarr: Lift us up! The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Yes, lift us up! Senator BILYK: Okay, let me lift you up! I'll lift you up. We know how to do the job. We will continue to do the job; Senator Farrell will represent us fantastically, doing the job. I hope you're all feeling a bit more uplifted. I did note that you were all very quiet in question time until it came to that question, actually. I wondered if you were a bit fatigued— Senator Scarr: We were mesmerised! Senator BILYK: I'm not surprised you were mesmerised! What a great job Senator Farrell did today, stepping into the breach. It just shows you how good he is, and will continue to be, as the minister! In 2021, 65.2 per cent of Australia's two-way trade was with Asian countries. In 2021, Australia's top three agricultural exports were wheat, beef and veal, and sheep meat. Senator Farrell is quite competent—more than competent—at being able to understand how free-trade agreements work. He's able to negotiate them and able to come to agreements with other countries—not to stop other countries wanting to deal with us in whatever way, shape or form that we were dealing with them, and not to have us embarrassed on the international stage. I don't think Senator Farrell will do any of that. But let me say that your government certainly didn't mind doing that. Your government was happy to embarrass Australia on the international stage— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Bilyk. Senator Van.