Morrison hails cheaper Indonesian imports under new deal

NINETY-NINE per cent of Australia’s exports to Indonesia will be free of tariffs or have significantly improved preferential arrangements under a new trade agreement to be signed later this year.

The revelation of the details of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was made by Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday on the final day of his whistle stop trip to Indonesia,

Speaking to an Indonesia Australia Business Forum breakfast with Indonesia’s vice-president Jusef Kalla, Mr Morrison said the agreement “will create jobs and it will create wealth for both countries”.

He said the deal meant “Indonesia’s exports will enter Australia without tariffs or tax, which means more exports for Indonesia and cheaper inputs for Australian business.”

In his first major speech overseas as Prime Minister, Mr Morrison said his priorities were prosperity, security and unity.

“My Government has three clear goals to ensure an even stronger Australia: keep our economy strong, keep Australians safe and keep Australians together,” he said.

While making a strong statement of support for Australia’s alliance with the US, Mr Morrison said he was committed to deepening engage- ment with Indonesia, India and Japan “to keep the IndoPacific secure, prosperous, open and inclusive”.

At the same time the new PM said “I am committed to deepening our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China”.

Mr Morrison returns to Australia this afternoon.