Ministerial Statement

China-Australia Free Trade Agreement

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:02): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: This week is a historic week for South Australia, as it is for the nation. The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement will open up outstanding new opportunities for South Australian businesses, and Prime Minister Abbott should be commended for concluding the ChAFTA. Building on yesterday's announcement, today I will be travelling to Sydney with a delegation of business and industry leaders to participate in the first China-Australia Leaders Forum to further develop our engagement with China. President Xi and Prime Minister Abbott will speak at this event. I hope to personally congratulate them both for the conclusion of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

This agreement is the product of a long journey, beginning with Gough Whitlam in the 1970s. Subsequent prime ministers continued to build on the bilateral relationship, with the Hawke-Keating years and even the Howard government recognising the benefits of stronger links between our two nations. The current round of engagement commenced with prime minister Gillard and minister Emerson, and the Abbott government can rightly be commended for the work they have done to secure the agreement. The ChAFTA—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: They haven't been in government 18 months and they think it is all their own work. The ChAFTA includes a number of measures that will make South Australian products more attractive to Chinese consumers. This is great—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: They are going to make it more expensive, are they? Is that your point?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: They can't take a compliment. This is great for our state, because not only will it mean the trade agreement supports business and generates jobs, it will support quality jobs. Statistics show that exporters pay 60 per cent higher wages than non-exporters. They provide better health and safety, better job security and better employment rights for women.

A key part of the agreement that directly benefits South Australia will be the establishment of a Chinese consulate general in Adelaide. The consulate general will further promote economic, trade, scientific, technological, cultural and educational ties between South Australia and China. The ChAFTA represents a significant opportunity for South Australia.

There are a number of measures included in this agreement that will make our products more attractive to Chinese consumers, from food and wine to resources, to our service industries, particularly mining services and education services, where we already have a competitive advantage. South Australian businesses will have great new opportunities for growth. We placed a significant focus on our engagement with China, and yesterday's announcement vindicates that focus. We are already growing our goods exports faster than any other state and are well placed to benefit from the ChAFTA.

Yesterday we released our economic priority to promote South Australia's international connections and engagement, which set ambitious goals for us to internationalise the South Australian economy.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is called to order.