New Trade Minister Simon Birmingham will use his role to promote SA food and wine overseas
SA SENATOR Simon Birmingham has a new job, moving on from last week’s quick gig as Minister for Everything and his previous role as Education Minister.
WHEN it comes time to present gifts to foreign VIPs during official overseas visits, there’s a good chance that new Trade Minister Simon Birmingham will be offering South Australian wine or chocolates.
Senator Birmingham, who officially swaps Education for Trade, Tourism and Investment portfolio today is particularly looking forward to helping SA business access overseas markets.
“Whilst of course I must act in the best interests of the entire country, I know that during his time as Foreign Minister Alexander Downer was always very happy to give an extra point to SA and I’ll certainly not be shy about spruiking the benefits of South Australia as I seek to sell the benefits of the whole nation,’’ Senator Birmingham said.
With Australia poised to finalise a free-trade agreement with Indonesia, Senator Birmingham’s priorities in the new portfolio are set to include further strengthening our ties with the region and developing post-Brexit trade arrangements with the United Kingdom and the European Union.
Promoting Australia’s international education sector also will be a priority.
Riverland Senator Anne Ruston will also be brushing up on her international knowledge as she takes on the role of Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific. Ms Ruston, who will be sworn in today, said she was “taken aback” as her expertise has been in the agricultural sector but vowed to keep the interests of SA paramount.
“Agriculture and water resources in SA are my first love,” Senator Ruston said.
She will be use her experience as chair of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, which looks after tuna in the specific.
“Fishing and tuna stocks are one of the fundamental drivers in the Pacific Islands,” she said. Ms Ruston will work with new Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne to strengthen Australia’s relationship with its Asia-Pacific neighbours.
It comes ahead of Saturday’s Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru, which was to be attended by former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
“I have a lot to learn in a very short space of time but am very excited about the opportunity to do it,” Ms Ruston said.