SOUTH AUSTRALIAN EXPORTS

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (14:46): My question is to the Premier. Would the Premier advise the house how the state is performing in the global market with regard to exports?

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:46): I would like to thank the honourable member for this very important question, because I am very pleased to inform the house that South Australia's recovery following the global financial crisis continues to go from strength to strength. South Australia has fared much better than most other states in Australia and, indeed, other countries around the world.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: You don't like any good news. So the ABS suddenly is wrong because you are always right! The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows exports from South Australia continuing to rebound strongly.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: You don't like this, do you? No, you don't. I know there was a big blue in your party room, a big, big blue, about the oval. I know that is why you haven't asked any questions this week.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: We have been hearing about it.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: We love getting your phone calls, your cards and your letters. In the year to February 2011, South Australia recorded a 23 per cent increase in exports to $9.9 billion. This was the second-highest growth rate in the nation; only Western Australia recorded a higher growth rate. In the month of February alone, South Australian exports topped more than $1 billion, the highest monthly total recorded since August 2008.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: You would be blaming me if it was the other way.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Come down the front; go down to the front. We want to see you on the front bench.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Anger management—come down to the front bench, and we will get your other mate as well.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: As I said, the 'Pellekaan brief' and the 'Marshall plan'—who's going to get there first? Metal ores and metal scraps accounted for the greatest increase, in $778 million worth of goods exported. Our record-breaking grain harvest also delivered an increase in wheat exports of 133 per cent, or $664 million.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Now they are anti the bush. I don't know! Other significant increases included copper, up $183 million; meat and meat preparations, up $121 million; other commodities, which included, for example, barley, up $108 million; machinery, up $84 million; and vegetables and fruit, up $54 million. It is important to note that these results—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: It is important to note that these results have come despite the high Australian dollar, which has consistently been above parity. Combine this with poor economic conditions around the world and there is no doubting that it is a tough climate for exporters to operate in.

Despite this our exporters have risen to the challenge and our industries continue to perform strongly. I think members of both sides of the house should commend the efforts of industry. Furthermore, these latest statistics show that the efforts of this government in having targeted campaigns in growth markets continue to pay huge dividends for the state.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Given that education is our second biggest export, you don't think—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Norwood!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: You don't think the government has had any role in that? It was about 6,000 to 8,000 under you; 34,000 students under Labor.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: You couldn't actually get mining exploration going.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Somehow you were anti-mine. It was all some kind of mirage in the desert. Anyway, here we go.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: As much as members opposite protest about our trade offices in India and China, this government will continue to support them. Go and ask the education sector whether they appreciate our offices in India and China. We continue to support them because in the year to February, exports to China grew $697 million or 61 per cent. In the year to February, exports to India grew 74 per cent or $306 million. This is a $1 billion increase in exports to India and China.

Don't expect it to be reported, but it is really important for this state. These latest results are very encouraging for South Australia as our exports are continuing to diversify, as our mining industry continues to gain momentum, and, when the US and European markets fully recover, I am confident that exports will continue to grow strongly. Let's hear it for our exporters, even if the Liberals opposite do not value their contribution to this state.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition.