The Morrison-Joyce Government’s focus on announcement instead of doing the whole job is again risking our relationships with key trading partners, in this case the French Government.

Labor is supporting the new AUKUS arrangements, including the new nuclear submarines proposal, subject to the conditions set out clearly by Labor Leader Anthony Albanese.

However, in racing to make the announcement, it is clear that Scott Morrison has failed to do the whole job by adequately managing our relationship with France.

We hope the Morrison-Joyce Government’s diplomatic incompetence does not impact our bargaining position in relation to the Australia-EU free trade agreement negotiations, and lead to worse outcomes for Australian exporters.

This includes Australian wine producers who have already been hit hard by trade sanctions from China.

Given the strength of the French response, we hope Scott Morrison’s diplomatic incompetence does not affect the A-EU FTA and, at worst, scupper the important trade deal entirely.

It’s clear the Morrison Government’s focus on announcements over doing the whole job is straining Australia’s relationships and has left their Trade Minister, Dan Tehan, in the dark, scrambling to save Australia’s position in the A-EU FTA negotiations.

It is not clear that Scott Morrison actually understands why relationships are important, and he does not appear to have any long-term plan to develop and diversify Australia’s export markets.

MONDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2021