Trade and investment
The Trade 2040 Taskforce (Taskforce) brings together government, industry, unions and community representatives to serve as a key consultation forum to progress the Government's trade policy agenda.
These consultations occur against the backdrop of an increasingly complex global environment, including as Australia transitions to a net zero economy.
The views from the Taskforce will help inform the Government's trade policy agenda with a strategic and forward-looking outlook to 2040. This includes important initiatives such as the report: Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. Members will exchange views and provide advice to Government on trade and investment policy, promotion and priorities including Australia's participation in trade negotiations and in international economic cooperation forums.
The establishment of the Taskforce prioritises putting people and business at the centre of Australia's trade policy, implementation and delivery. Taskforce membership is drawn from a wide cross-section of Australian society. Individual members are leaders in their fields drawn from across Australia and reflecting a broad range of experience, including First Nations representation.
The Terms of Reference cover the background and context, purpose and structure, and governance of the Taskforce.
The Taskforce is chaired by Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism and Special Minister of State. It will meet biannually.
Media releases
Taskforce membership
| Name | Title, Organisation |
|---|---|
| Senator the Hon Don Farrell (Chair) | Minister for Trade and Tourism and Special Minister of State |
| Mr Mike Cannon-Brookes | Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Atlassian |
| Ms Lorraine Maxwell | Chief Executive Officer, Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited and Immediate Past Chief Executive Officer, AusBiotech |
| Mr Craig Clifford | Managing Director, Incat Australia and Incat Chartering |
| Ms Swati Dave | Chair of the Advisory Board, Centre for Australia India Relations and Deputy Chair, Asia Society Australia |
| Ms Michelle Deshong | Managing Director, Deshong Consulting and Immediate Past – Co-Chair Supply Nation |
| The Hon Craig Emerson | Director, Australian APEC Study Centre, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology |
| Mr Paul Farrow | National Secretary, The Australian Workers Union |
| Mr Tim Harris | Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Redflow |
| Ms Catriona Jackson | Immediate Past Chief Executive Officer, Universities Australia |
| Ms Kate Marks | Chief Executive Officer, Ausfilm |
| Mr Steven Murphy | National Secretary, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union |
| Ms Michele O'Neil | President, Australian Council of Trade Unions |
| Ms Meg O'Neill | Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Woodside Energy |
| Mr Rob Scott | Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Wesfarmers |
| Ms Fiona Simson | Immediate Past President, National Farmers Federation and Chair, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research |
| Ms Flavia Tata Nardini | Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Fleet Space Technologies |
| Ms Cathryn Tilmouth | Executive Director Northern Australia, Minerals Council of Australia |
| Mr Justin Mohamed | Australia's Ambassador for First Nations People (ex-officio member) |
| Mr Nicholas Moore AO | Australia's Special Envoy for Southeast Asia (ex-officio member) |