International Trade

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton) (14:25): My question—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Was that directed at me, Vickie?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Wide awake! My question is to the Minister for Investment and Trade. What funding assistance does the government offer businesses seeking to attend international trade shows?

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Minister for Investment and Trade, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:25): I thank the member for Colton for his question. The government uses a number of strategies to incentivise and support investment and export activity, because this government understands the importance of international markets to growth in our states—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: —something the laughing, chortling Leader of the Opposition knows nothing about. We've paid particular attention to the China, India and South-East Asia—

The SPEAKER: The minister is warned.

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: —markets in the first instance with our outbound missions because these are emerging economies with high-growth trajectories. These are economies where the potential for greater two-way trade has been held back by a number of factors.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: The state government, therefore—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: —has an important role—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: —in supporting businesses to—

The SPEAKER: Point of order.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Mr Speaker, can I take a point of order? As attractive as it is to see these two former Titans of the Liberal Party going at it hammer and tongs across the chamber, I would like to hear my minister give his ministerial statement.

The SPEAKER: Answer his question.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Answer his question.

Ms Chapman: What happened to his codes for ministers? It's disappeared.

The Hon. P. Caica: Oh, shut up, will you? Be quiet. Just be quiet for a while.

The SPEAKER: The member for Colton is called to order. Indeed, I forgot to issue the warnings from the last round. I call to order the members for Davenport, Kavel, Hammond and Hartley, and I warn for the first time the leader and the deputy leader. Before the minister resumes, I have allowed ministers sometimes to heap buckets on the leader in answers when he has provoked them, but on this occasion, I believe the provocation is from the minister and, like the Premier, I would like to hear the answer.

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: Thank you, Mr Speaker. The state government has an important role in supporting business to overcome barriers by facilitating inbound and outbound trade missions to match businesses and establish contracts. We've seen multimillion dollar deals emerge from these missions as recently as today, because in the past 24 hours, we've seen more significant agreements struck for mining, agriculture, dairy, aged care, health services and medicine.

The government also operates an export partnerships program which allows businesses to seek matched grant funding of up to $50,000 for export activity. The program underwent a significant reform this year, removing restrictions on exporters' applications including a doubling of the available funds from $25,000 to $50,000; removing the caps for individual activities including research in overseas marketing materials, export training and mentoring and international trade participation; reducing the minimum turnover threshold requirement from $150,000 to $100,000; and allowing companies to apply for grants on multiple occasions up to a total of $50,000.

That is why—and I have repeated the facts today—I was interested to read about 'alternative plans' for export growth in the state from the Leader of the Opposition. If a business wanted to go to a trade show in Malaysia for $100,000, as was suggested by the Leader of the Opposition, when he said:

We'd put in 50 grand and say, 'You put in 50 grand.' We'd have a sum of money, where people put in innovative ideas matched with their own expenditure, in markets they've defined for themselves. We'd let businesses themselves determine where their product offering has the best opportunity, and we'd put very few restrictions on it,

then that is exactly what the government has done. It sounds extraordinarily like the Export Partnership Program. A briefing is available if requested.

If a South Australian export business wants to prepare products or prepare for attendance at or attend, in Malaysia, an export event for $100,000, they would be able to do exactly that, using our program, for half the funding. We will provide half and they will provide half. So much for the alternative plan. The only thing is, you announced it a year after we introduced it; that's the only thing about the alternative policy. It is a good idea—if you are going to have one—to get out there first. It has already been in place for over a year, and a briefing is available if members—

Members interjecting:

Ms CHAPMAN: Point of order, Mr Speaker. The minister is accusing you of publishing certain documents—

The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order. In the pause I call to order the members for Chaffey, Adelaide and Mount Gambier. Minister.

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I just remind members opposite that over 200,000 jobs in South Australia depend on exports either interstate or overseas. I encourage exporters to apply for an Export Partnership Program grant. This government stands ready to partner with them. We are right now; we have taken dozens and dozens of them overseas. Just talk to them and you will be informed. We are out there creating jobs and getting on with the job in very difficult economic times.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I warn for the first time the members for Chaffey, Mount Gambier, Hartley and Hammond.