Trade Figures

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:46): My question is to the Minister for Investment and Trade. Can the minister inform the house of the latest update on South Australia's trade performance?

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Minister for Investment and Trade, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:46): I thank the member for Kaurna for his question. I am pleased to inform the house that South Australia has once again reached a record export high of $12.4 billion in the 12 months to May. The latest—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: I'll just let them go. Right, beautiful.

Mr Griffiths interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Goyder, whose interjections often shade off into talking to himself, is warned for the second and final time.

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: Thank you for your protection, Mr Speaker. It is much appreciated.

Mr Whetstone: You need it.

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: No, I don't. The Australian Bureau of Statistics—

Mr Whetstone: Yes, you do.

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: I don't think anyone needs any defending from anything that might come from opposite, but we will get back to that. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics trade figures show overseas goods exported from South Australia for the year to March 2014 grew by 14 per cent year on year outpacing the nation. The ABS figures published today show national exports grew 11 per cent in the same 12-month period, with all the states lagging behind South Australia's performance. South Australian exporters had exceeded the $12 billion mark for a 12-month survey for the fourth consecutive month. Despite a challenging exchange rate and lower commodity prices, South Australian exports continue strong performances compared with the other states, so it is not all doom and gloom.

South Australia's 18 per cent growth in the 12 months to May compares more than favourably to 13 per cent for Western Australia and the Northern Territory, and up 11 per cent for Victoria and up 1 per cent in Queensland. Who would want to live in Queensland with those figures? Both New South Wales, where exports were down by 8.4 per cent, and Tasmania, down by 10 per cent, recorded declines in the same 12-month period. Our key growth sectors in today's figures include metal ores and metal scrap up $643 million, or 31 per cent, meat and meat preparations up $253 million, or 37 per cent, copper up $221 million, or 24 per cent, and wheat up $186 million, or 15 per cent.

Exports are booming under this government. We have seen crucial growth in our targeted destinations supported by this government's engagement strategies, and I will tell the house more about that. Building on the support of our Indian and China engagement strategies, the government has embarked on a consultation process to develop a similar approach to South-East Asia.

Exports over the previous 12 months to China have increased by $1.16 billion, or 53 per cent; exports to India have increased by $87 million, or 13 per cent, and up $151 million, or 8.4 per cent, to ASEAN partners. Other important growth destinations include the USA $373 million, or 38 per cent, and New Zealand—let's not forget New Zealand—$93 million, or 24 per cent. It is a tremendous result for the state, and a tremendous result for businesses here at home, both agribusinesses and manufacturers. We want our exporters to export even more and we have a plan to help them do just that.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer is warned for the first time, though not for that approbation of the Minister for Investment and Trade's answer.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: No, you may not. The member for Heysen is warned for the second and final time as is the member for Hartley. The member for Mitchell is warned for the first time and I call the member for Newland to order. Leader.