The Morrison Government has abandoned a promise to implement the key findings of a $1.5 million report that recommended practical ways Australia can boost its languishing economic ties with India.
 
Evidence given to Senate Estimates last night has revealed the Government has no plans to implement 19 of the 20 priority recommendations contained in the 2018 report.
 
The report, by former Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade secretary Peter Varghese, found no single market over the next 20 years offered more growth opportunities for Australia than India.
 
Releasing the report two years ago, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: “The Government endorses the report and provides in-principle support to its 20 priority recommendations.”
 
But DFAT officials revealed in Estimates that only one of the report’s 20 priority recommendations – to set up a new Consulate-General in Kolkata – had been implemented.
 
Despite this, Trade Minister Simon Birmingham insisted during the hearing that the Varghese report remained relevant to the Government’s strategy on India.
 
Official data released in August highlighted the dangers of the Government’s lax approach to India and its longer-term failure to adequately diversify Australia’s trading economy.
 
The figures showed India’s share of Australian merchandise exports had fallen to $10.98 billion over the 12 months to June 30.
 
That is 32 per cent below the 2018 level when Mr Varghese released his report.
 
India’s share of Australia’s total merchandise exports is below 2 per cent, the lowest level since 2003.
 
The Morrison Government has failed to address our worsening economic relationship with India.
 
Just more proof that they love making announcements but they’re never there for the follow-up.