Up until the early 1970s, Tasmania produced Australia's best apples. Not that Australian fruit eaters would know. This top-quality product was destined for the British export market. Suddenly this was gone. Why?

The times were similar to now, where we have lost many Chinese export markets. Back then, our major trading partner, "mother England", deserted its Commonwealth offspring to join the European Economic Community in 1973.

This ended the British Empire and Commonwealth trading system, where former colonies were given favourable tariff concessions. Roll on 50 years, and with the Brexit fallout, the Brits are now hunting for new trading partners. In Australia, they have found a willing partner for a new free trade deal.

The urgency for our country is that we need to diversify our trade rapidly, having lost so many Chinese markets over the past 12 months. Last week the Australian and UK prime ministers signed an in-principle agreement for a new free trade deal between our two countries at the end of the G7 meeting in Cornwall. This was done in record time because of the growing threat to both free economies by China's unpredictable trading behaviour.

Boris and Scott sorted out some of the final key sticking points over dinner at Number 10 Downing Street. It was unprecedented. At the following press conference, the two prime ministers exchanged hampers packed with British and Australian products.

Boris said: "you give us RM Williams boots, and we give you Mackintoshes; you give us Tim Tams, and we give you Penguins; you give us Vegemite, and we give you Marmite".

Do we really want Marmite?

Given our historical and cultural links, it makes sense that Australia is the first nation to secure a post-Brexit free-trade deal with Britain. The UK is our fifth largest trading partner, and this deal could initially boost our economy by $1.3 billion a year.

Australia now has many free trade agreements with other countries, including G7 members US, and Japan. However, this month will be our first with a European power - the UK, the world's sixth-largest economy.

The next likely deal will be with the EEC, continuing our trade pivot from Asia to Europe.

It is great that the Brits are back again and by our side in Australia's David versus Goliath battle with China. Prime Minister Johnson said: "Britain stood shoulder to shoulder with our friends."

He singled out Beijing's bullying behaviour, particularly towards Australia. The G7 are also coming on board.

They are listening to Australia and, for the second time, have invited our nation to be observers at the big G7 table.

The free world is closely watching Australia. We are one of the few growing economies globally, and at this stage of the pandemic, we have developed the best response. We are also the "tip of the spear" in standing up to China's bullying.

The G7 is now firmly on our side. It contains the world's most powerful economies: Japan, Germany, Italy, US, UK, France & Canada. The first three countries listed are former WWII Axis powers, and the other four were part of The Allies during the war.

Seventy-five years later, all seven members of the G7 are free democracies and close allies. As a result, they are the best placed to deal with China's threat to the post WWII order.

With the US now back in the tent following the Trump four-year glitch, the G7 is rising to meet the China challenge to maintaining a rules-based, open trading system in the world.

In the final G7 communique, it was agreed: "to pursue a collective approach to China's unfair trade policies and call on them to respect human rights and keep their hands off Taiwan".

It was also decided to underline this agreement with a show of strength. Britain, France and Germany, have committed to sending aircraft carriers, warships and submarines to the contested South China Sea this year.

Also, G7 members Britain and France have agreed to leverage their influence in their former Pacific territories to push back against China's coercive tactics.

Australia's security is further strengthened by our Quad defence partnership membership with G7 members, Japan and the US, plus India.

These trade and defence alliances are the path forward for Australia to maintain its security, excellent standard of living and way of life in an increasingly unstable world.

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