House of Assembly Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2) 52 2 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Answers to Questions Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy Department MANUFACTURING, INNOVATION, TRADE, RESOURCES AND ENERGY DEPARTMENT In reply to Mr MARSHALL House of Assembly Norwood MANUFACTURING, INNOVATION, TRADE, RESOURCES AND ENERGY DEPARTMENT In reply to Mr MARSHALL (Norwood) (29 February 2012). The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS House of Assembly West Torrens Minister for Manufacturing Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy Minister for Small Business MANUFACTURING, INNOVATION, TRADE, RESOURCES AND ENERGY DEPARTMENT The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business): I am advised, the Department's payment history for the financial years 2009-10, 2010-11 was within the Government benchmark of 90 per cent of invoices paid by the due date. For the financial year ending 30 June 2011 the then Department of Trade and Economic Development paid 92.8 per cent of all invoices by the due date. The new Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy is on track to surpass the 90 per cent threshold yet again. The average for the first seven months is 89.8 per cent. Only two months have been below the 90 per cent benchmark—December and January. I understand these two months were affected by the Christmas period in which many businesses are closed, making it difficult to finalise accounts. I am confident this benchmark will be achieved yet again. I am advised, the results for the year ended 30 June 2011 are an improvement of 2.02 per cent in performance for accounts paid by the due date from the 2009-10 financial year.