EXPORT GROWTH FIGURES

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (14:57): My question is to Minister for Mineral Resources Development. Can the minister please inform the house on the latest ABS figures about exports and mineral exploration expenditure?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Correctional Services) (14:58): I am pleased to inform the house that I can, and I would like to thank the member for his question. On the back of what the Treasurer has informed the house, our future is very, very bright. In the 12 months to July 2011, the value of South Australia's overseas goods exports totalled $11.4 billion, a massive increase of 36 per cent on the previous 12 months. South Australia leads the nation when it comes to export growth. Our export growth was 7 per cent higher than our closest rivals in Western Australia. Our state dramatically outclassed the national average by 17 whole percentage points.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I think it is important to note that these results have come despite a high Australian dollar, which has consistently been above parity. Combine this with poor economic conditions around the world—

The Hon. I.F. Evans interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Did you wake up, Iain? Welcome to the debate, Iain.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

An honourable member: He's back.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: He's back. Combine this with poor economic conditions around the world, particularly in Europe, and there is no doubting our exporters are really performing above and beyond. Compare this with the same time last year. The hard work of our farmers sees wheat up more than $1.1 billion, a 210 per cent increase. Copper is up $763 million, or a 133 per cent increase. Metal ores and scrap metals are up $441 million, or a 29 per cent increase.

Along with the hard work of our farmers and a bumper grain harvest, the increased number in our exports is playing a major role in this growth—growth that would not have been realised had it not been for this government's approach to backing the mining industry in this state. According to the latest ABS statistics, our faith in this industry is continuing to pay dividends.

The latest ABS stats show that South Australia's mineral exploration expenditure for the last financial year surged to $254.6 million. This is a massive increase from the $167.9 million in the previous financial year. I know that every time this state succeeds, a little part of them dies, but this is a very, very good result. Just in the last quarter alone, South Australia's mineral expenditure was up to $85.2 million. We are now ranked third, behind Queensland and Western Australia, when it comes to mineral expenditure.

An honourable member: So you should be.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Where we should be. The casual passenger.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Where we should be. With $101.4 million of expenditure, South Australia led the country in copper exploration expenditure. South Australia also experienced solid exploration investment in uranium, iron ore, gold and other base metals. The total forward program of drilling metres approved by PIRSA for the 2010-11 financial year was an impressive 1.23 million metres across 379 separate exploration drilling programs. With more than 30 mining projects in the pipeline, I expect and the government expects these figures to continue to remain strong. As members opposite hate to admit that this government has got the policies—

Mr WILLIAMS: Point of order, Madam Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Order! Point of order.

Mr WILLIAMS: The minister is now debating the answer.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! All right. We have got five minutes left of question time. Minister, return to the substance of the question. I uphold that.

An honourable member: He is wrong.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: As members are loath to admit, it is this government—

Mr WILLIAMS: Point of order, Madam Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr WILLIAMS: The minister is defying your ruling.

The SPEAKER: Yes. Minister, could you please stop—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: They love to admit, Madam Speaker.

The SPEAKER: —making judgements.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Point of order, Madam Speaker. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has consistently said this isn't true. Now, if that is not loathing to admit it, I have never heard loathing.

The SPEAKER: Order! Thank you. Minister, can you complete your answer to the question without stirring up the opposite side.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: This government has got the policies right to ensure that exports continue to increase and exploration investment remains strong, and I know this upsets the Leader of the Opposition. I look forward—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mrs REDMOND: Again, the minister entered into debate in defiance of your recent ruling.

The SPEAKER: Yes, the minister is being provocative. Please, conclude your remarks.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Madam Speaker, if I have offended you in any way, I apologise.

The SPEAKER: Thank you. Now conclude your remarks and you will make me very happy.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I look forward, as with all members on this side of the house and the crossbenchers, to increasing continued export growth and mining growth in this state as it keeps moving forward, growing very quickly. I know the opposition hates it.