Senator CONROY (Victoria—Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity) (14:45): I thank the senator for his question, if not for his moustache! It is also good to see that the Nationals have formed a coalition on trade policy with the Greens. In Honolulu, the Prime Minister, Ms Gillard, announced the broad outlines of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The TPP is more than a traditional trade agreement; it will also deal with behind-the-border impediments to trade and investment. Current negotiating partners include Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States and Vietnam. This represents the first steps in the development of a 21st century free trade agreement, which will forge a pathway to free trade across the Asia-Pacific. TPP countries accounted for 21 per cent of Australia's total trade in 2010 and our trade with the Asia-Pacific region accounted for around 70 per cent of our total trade. The combined economy of the current negotiating countries is already larger than that of the European Union. Senator Milne: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. The minister was asked whether any negotiation would include the investor state dispute process. That is the question we would like answered. The PRESIDENT: I believe the minister is answering the question. The minister still has 47 seconds remaining to answer the question. Senator CONROY: Leaders committed to a comprehensive, ambitious trade agreement which eliminates tariffs and other barriers to trade and investment. The Australian government is committed to global trade liberalisation and agreement on regional economic integration will go a long way towards that goal. Australia will be pressing for better access to agricultural export markets in negotiations for the TPP, yet senior Nationals are putting themselves at odds with the National Farmers Federation and Australia's farmers with their antitrade policies. I am as confused by that as I am sure many are in this chamber. (Time expired)