Nationals claim EU deal delivers far below promised farm gains
The government used old forecasts to claim $10 billion in benefits, but the real deal is far weaker.
The Albanese government is accused of promoting its EU trade deal using forecasts that assumed farm tariffs would vanish entirely. The final deal instead limits major Australian farm exports through quotas.
At Senate estimates on Wednesday, the Nationals pointed out an earlier forecast. The earlier forecast showed a 528 per cent increase in beef and sheepmeat exports.
The real deal secures 30,600 tonnes of new beef access per year, phased over 10 years, and 25,000 tonnes of sheepmeat and goatmeat over seven years. This falls short of industry demands for 50,000 tonnes of beef and 67,000 tonnes of sheepmeat and goatmeat.
Trade Minister Don Farrell defended the figures. He said they showed the lower end of value because the deal includes opportunities for Australian critical minerals.
DFAT officials confirmed they were still modelling the agreement finalised in March.
- 10 billion dollars
- Government benefit claim
- 528 per cent
- Old forecast increase
- 30,600 tonnes
- New beef access annual
- 25,000 tonnes
- Sheepmeat/goatmeat access
Why it mattersThe row raises questions about how the government presents trade deals and whether promised benefits match the actual deal.
AustraliaAustralian farmers are disappointed by beef and sheepmeat quotas far below what other countries have secured, and the government faces pressure over its claims about the deal's worth.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 h ago
