Export Performance

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright) (14:26): My question is to the Minister for Investment and Trade. Can the minister update the house on South Australia's export performance for April?

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Minister for Investment and Trade, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:26): I thank the member for Wright for the question. She would have heard, as would most members, about the very positive news on exports. Over 65,000 South Australian jobs depend upon those exports. The South Australian government is committed to seeing the number grow. Continuing growth in trade and exports will lead to a strong economy and the creation of more jobs.

Recent results released by the ABS show that over the 12-month period to April 2016, South Australia recorded a 1.7 per cent increase in overseas goods exports. This was above the national result, which was down by 4.9 per cent. South Australia, like many other states and countries, is seeing the impact of commodity price movements on the world—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: They just can't handle the good news; can't handle the good news. They can't control themselves—they've just got to talk it down even when everybody else knows the figures are going up.

The SPEAKER: The minister will answer the question.

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: Yes, Mr Speaker, of course he will. When it comes to commodities, something no federal or state government can control, we all know that minerals and petroleum have experienced a decline. But what these figures reveal is that, when you take those things out, South Australia has recorded a 7.6 per cent increase in goods exports during this period. This included—and I know they will hate to hear it—other confidential items, which includes SMEs and barley up $313 million, 14 per cent (much of it in their electorates); wine up $159 million, 13 per cent; wheat up $150 million, or 12 per cent; copper up $104 million, or 9.1 per cent; and vegetables and fruit—don't we love our vegetables and fruit—up $102 million, or 22 per cent.

I know this is news they just hate to hear—they hate to hear it—but what the government is helping businesses to do here is expand and extend their exports, and the results are in: not our facts, the ABS's facts. Those results reinforce that the state government's commitment to grow premium food and wine, agriculture and advanced manufacturing sectors is on track. Strong growth was also recorded in the export markets to ASEAN and the Middle East, as well as in more traditional partner markets like the United States, the European Union and Canada.

This is in complete contrast to the completely baseless claims by the opposition spokesperson for investment and trade who believes the South Australian government has forgotten about Asia.

Ms CHAPMAN: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: I will listen carefully.

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: In fact, our exports to South-East Asia have gone up by 7.1 per cent, with market share of 17 per cent. In fact, the state government—

The SPEAKER: The minister will be seated. The minister will supply information about governing to the state. He will not supply information to the house about the opposition's policy, for which he is not responsible to the house.

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: Thank you, Mr Speaker. The South-East Asia Engagement Strategy is working, and just this week the government returned from the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam, with another mission heading off to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand in July to give that very attention to South-East Asia which markets are seeking.

South Australia is defying the national trend, with significant increases in key areas. Ask Hastwell & Lightfoot, who are exporting their wine to the UK; Mallee Estates; Thorn-Clarke winery; Kilikanoon Wines; Saltbush Livestock; 4 Ways Fresh; and Skara Smallgoods—all of them are expanding their exports on the back of programs run and supported by the state government. Our results are in and exports are up in all of the key areas we are seeking to develop.