Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne believes it is still worth taking a dispute with China over wine export tariffs to the World Trade Organisation even if the federal government thinks it lacks teeth.
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Senator Payne says the WTO does need a number of key reforms, such as dispute settlements being made more transparent.
"But what lodging the dispute enables us to do is begin dispute consultation settlements, which actually is a bilateral discussion with China about the issues," she told ABC's Insiders program on Sunday. "We've seen duties of over 200 per cent applied to Australian wine. We don't believe that that is consistent with China's obligations under the WTO. So that part of the process enables us to have that direct conversation."
Wine exports to China are just one of several Australian commodities in dispute with its number one trading partner, and first coincided with Australia calling for an inquiry into the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We are very determined to work with our partners to ensure that the phase-two investigation is able to access the material that it needs, including within China," Senator Payne said.
"The most important thing here is that this never, ever happens again. It doesn't matter if it is from Australia's perspective, the United States' perspective or the smallest developing nations, we all share that view."
UK prime minister Boris Johnson has announced he is sending the HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier and supporting vessels to the South China Sea which Australian navy vessels will join.
"We've engaged previously with the UK when they've sent vessels to the region," Senator Payne said.
"It's a very significant undertaking on their part but we welcome it. We think that it adds to interoperability and adds to familiarity and is something the Australian Defence Force and the Australian government is very happy to support."
