Workplace relations minister Amanda Rishworth is doing the media rounds this morning as she spruiks the penalty rates legislation.

But she has obviously been well briefed on the US beef change. Asked about it on the ABC, Rishworth said:

Well, there has been a decade-long review process of the US import restrictions on beef and that has been underpinned by scientific and rigorous risk assessment, not done by the politicians, but done by the Department of Agriculture, fisheries and forestries.

They have been looking at this for a long time and they now have assessed that the right controls are in place to ensure that our biosecurity is not under any threat. We need to be really clear, we will never compromise on biosecurity and it must be underpinned by scientific and risk assessment evidence. That is what the department has done.

They have made this assessment that the right controls are in place to protect our biosecurity.

Asked about the ‘curious timing’ and whether it is an olive branch, Rishworth says:

Well, firstly, I would say that this process has been going on for a decade and a decision by the department. If we actually look at trade, our beef producers, our agricultural producers at large benefit from having free and fair trade around the world. 70% of our agricultural products are exported and having access to markets is really critical.

Our farmers do an amazing job, they make a world class product. When it comes to beef, there is still significant demand, even with the tariffs on Australian beef. This is an important issue that we will keep prosecuting with the United States about having free and fair trade, but our agricultural producers export to the world with their world class product and we want to support them with that.