The Trade 2040 Taskforce brings together government, industry, unions and community representatives to serve as a key consultation forum for the Australian Government. Their collective insights have helped progress the Government's trade policy agenda against the backdrop of an increasingly complex global environment. The Taskforce is chaired by Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism and Special Minister of State.
On 29 June 2026, Minister Farrell launched the Taskforce’s report, Towards 2040: Navigating Australia’s Trading Future. This report captures the Taskforce’s strategic guidance on key trade priorities and challenges and how to navigate them to support Australia’s resilience and prosperity to 2040. The report is framed around seven pillars:
- Trade diversification and economic security
- Trade and investment opportunities in the net zero transition
- Free trade agreements, regionalism and beyond
- Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040
- Inclusive and fair trade
- The rules-based multilateral trading system
- AI and digital trade.
The Taskforce reflects the Government’s inclusive approach to trade policy – engaging closely with business, workers and the community to ensure the benefits of trade are shared among all Australians. Taskforce 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.
Taskforce membership
| Name | Title, Organisation |
|---|---|
| Senator the Hon Don Farrell (Chair) | Minister for Trade and Tourism and Special Minister of State |
| 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 | Member of the Reserve Bank of Australia Governance Board and Chair of the Advisory Board, Centre for Australia India Relations. Non - Executive Director of Australian Financial Complaints Authority; Non - Executive Director of Treasury Corporation of Victoria; Independent Member of the QIC Global Infrastructure Investment Committee; Member of the Advisory Council of Asia Society Australia and Multicultural Ambassador of Cricket Australia. |
| 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 | Chief Executive Officer, Gigafy |
| Ms Catriona Jackson | Editor of Pearls and Irritations, John Menadue Public Policy Journal |
| 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 and member of the Net Zero Economy Authority Board |
| 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) |