The Australia-European Union FTA: Opportunities for Australia

Justin has been in his current position since 2018. This is his second posting in Brussels. Prior to this appointment, he led the trade and investment group in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra for three years, including serving as Australia’s chief negotiator in the CPTPP (TPP-11) negotiations. Throughout his career, he has been involved in many trade and related negotiations at the multilateral, regional and bilateral levels. He spent more than three years leading the department’s consular and crisis management division including the response to the MH17 tragedy for which he was awarded the Public Service Medal. He also served as Australia’s lead negotiator in the UN on climate change. He was Australia’s High Commissioner in Canada from 2008-2011. He holds a Bachelor of Economics.

Tea Dietterich is CEO and Founder of Australia’s fastest growing Language Service and Language Technology provider 2M Communications Pty Ltd. With offices in Argentina, Manila and Paris, 2M is an Australian exporter specialised in resources, finance and defence sectors with a strong European client base and has entered the global supply chain of European Defence Primes. Tea is a Board Director of the German Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Chair of its Queensland Chapter, Board Member of ABIE France and based between 2M HQ in Brisbane and 2M Europe in Paris. Her 20 years’ experience in the global trade arena have shaped her outlook towards Australian brands conquering international markets. Tea has studied at the University of Granada and Complutense University of Madrid and holds a Masters Degree in Applied Linguistics and Cultural Studies with speciality in International Law from Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz.

Rob is an experienced, export-focused, food industry executive, with an outstanding track record in managing entry and on-going export business at retail, bulk and food service levels and generating business growth. With a strong background in export sales, general management and marketing, he has extensive knowledge of the North American, Europe, UK and Asia FMCG markets. Rob spent 14 years with Capilano Honey Ltd as their North American Export Manager. He was responsible for setting up and managing Capilano’s entry into the Canadian market. For the last 6 years Rob has been with Buderim Ginger and has been responsible for handling the export of retail and bulk ginger worldwide. Rob is an executive with vision; he has maintained existing and established long-term relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders, and prides himself on being able to evaluate both short and long term opportunities.

Peter is the Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner and Head of UK, Europe, Russia and Israel for the Australian Trade and Investment Commission. Peter has 25 years of investment experience in international markets with extensive experience in Europe and Asia. As the founding CEO of JPMorgan Asset Management (Australia) he was part of the Glob-al Management Team for JPMorgan Asset Management. Peter also served as Chairman and CEO of the Institutional Investor group of companies across Asia Pacific. Earlier in his career Peter was based in London as Head of Equities Europe for CBA (Europe) and also has experience as an analyst with Standard & Poor’s. Peter started his career with the Productivity Commission in Australia after graduating with a First Class Honours Degree in Economics and from Monash University, Australia. In the not-for-profit sector, Peter is Chair of Investment Committee for the DCA endowment and is a Non-Executive Director of the Cambodian Rural Development Team, in Phnom Penh.

Alison is the chief negotiator for the Australia – EU free trade agreement (FTA). Before taking up this role, she was the First Assistant Secretary in the Office of Trade Negotiations. Ms Burrows was the Australian Ambassador to Cambodia from 2013 to 2016. She was the lead services and investment negotiator in the Japan, Korea, China and India FTAs from 2007 to 2013; and the lead agriculture negotiator in the US FTA, 2002 to 2003. Ms Burrows served as the Deputy Head of Mission in Brussels from 2004 to 2007, and has also worked in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. She had earlier postings to Rome, Suva and Manila

Christina is currently Austrade’s Free Trade Agreement Business Engagement and Seminar Series Manager, delivering FTA advocacy and outreach sessions nationally to Australian businesses and stakeholders. She has 20 years’ experience working with clients in both an international trade and investment capacity covering Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, South America, and Asia. Christina also managed Austrade’s business development grant programs including the Asian Business Engagement Plan, the FTA Training Provider Grant and the Free Trade Agreement Market Entry Grant.