South-East Asia Trade

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:08): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I spent three days at the end of last week in Singapore and Malaysia, meeting with potential investors in South Australia and promoting trade with South-East Asia. South Australia's Economic Development Board also held a joint sitting with its Singaporean counterpart as part of a three-day South Australian trade and investment mission. I was joined on the mission by three members of the Economic Development Board, as well as Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and international engagement adviser and economist Tim Harcourt. The three-day trip to Singapore involved 20 meetings and functions, primarily focused on defence, agribusiness and tourism.

Having just landed in Singapore on Thursday morning, I was amazed to read in the Singapore daily newspaper, The Straits Times,a story about Australia's defence minister, David Johnston. Here I am, leading a mission to attract more investment in the defence sector to South Australia, and where Singapore's media is covering Australia it is all about the defence minister talking down the capability of Australia's defence industry and undermining the credibility of South Australian workers. It is a reflection of the Liberal Party's ongoing determination to put politics ahead of the interests of South Australia. Importantly, I was—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Importantly, I was able to correct the record and highlight the accomplishments of the ASC and the important future role South Australia can play as Australia's defence state.

I was able to again meet Singaporean President Tan after his visit to Adelaide in June, as well as Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Teo Chee Hean, and trade and industry minister, Mr Lim Hng Kiang, as well as Singapore Public Service Commission Chairman, Eddie Teo. Three of those four gentlemen are graduates from the University of Adelaide.

South Australia's fast-growing economies are the focus of a new engagement strategy launched by the South Australian government in June. In the 2014-15 state budget, $1.1 million was dedicated to develop this strategy. The Singaporean Economic Development Board and sovereign wealth funds are regarded as world leading in their work.

This visit was about establishing a close relationship between the Singapore EDB and our own EDB to grow our trade and investment in the region. During the visit, I was able to host functions with and gain direct feedback on our strategy from a number of Australian businesses operating in Singapore.

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer will stop gesturing to the leader. Does the member for Hammond want me to eject people from the chamber on the basis of a call to order—because I can do that?

Mr Pederick: Just the Treasurer, sir.

The SPEAKER: So this isn't a normative suggestion?

Mr Pederick: It's a cumulative suggestion, sir.

The SPEAKER: It's an ad hominem suggestion, thank you. No, I will not be accepting it, but I do call the Treasurer to order.