INDUSTRY CAPABILITY NETWORK

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON (Croydon) (14:49): Can the Minister for Industry and Trade tell the house about the contribution of the Industry Capability Network—

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Finniss!

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON: —to the state's economy?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Correctional Services) (14:49): As a matter of fact, I can. I would like to thank the honourable member—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —for this very important question and note his keen interest. Several weeks ago I was fortunate to attend the 25-year anniversary of the formation of the South Australian Industry Capability Network along with the shadow spokesperson, Hon. Martin Hamilton-Smith. In 1986, the then government opened the industry supplies office in South Australia, which was the forerunner to the Industry Capability Network. It was an auspicious occasion for industry development in this state, and subsequent achievements of the ICNSA have been vindicated through the foresight shown at that time.

In 2005, it was renamed the Industry Capability Network to reflect the aim of maximising South Australian industry participation in investment projects and global supply chains. Today there are ICN offices in every Australian state and in New Zealand, with federal government support through the national coordinating body ICN Limited, and I can safely say that it is bipartisan support. A true mark of the ICNSA success is the fact that it has surpassed the $1 billion mark of contracts awarded to South Australian companies.

In addition, Madam Speaker, if you take the entire Australasian network in that time, a further $381 million of work has come our way. I am advised that these numbers equate to more than 18,000 jobs created or maintained in South Australia. In the past financial year alone, local companies have won over $227 million in contracts thanks to the ICN. I am further advised that this is a return on investment for the government and the community of over $200 for every $1 invested in the ICNSA. It is now working with companies as they are preparing to take advantage of SA's rapidly expanding mining industry and nearly $80 billion worth of other infrastructure—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Stop the background noise. It is very difficult to hear the minister.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —and major projects either underway or in the pipeline. Clearly, at no time in the state's history has the ICNSA's role been more critical in terms of the services it provides.

The next phase of ICNSA's evolution is to build the value chain from our major projects to ensure all South Australians benefit from what is happening now and in the future. It has been my long-held view that government and industry must continue to develop and lengthen the value chain from major projects. This is best achieved through local industry participation and by building a skilled workforce that local business and major developers need to complete their projects.

I restate my congratulations to the Industry Capability Network. I applaud the shadow minister for being there to celebrate 25 years of invaluable contribution to our state's economy—bipartisan support, I might add, for the ICNSA's work. I think it is important that both sides of government look at this role in a bipartisan way and not politicise it, and I wish it every success for the next 25 years and beyond.