Cybersecurity

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light) (14:31): My question is to the Minister for Investment and Trade. Can the minister outline recent initiatives to bring investment into South Australia?

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) (14:31): Earlier today, I announced plans by multinational technology company NEC to establish a global security intelligence centre in Adelaide. The centre will include the development of a cybersecurity practice, a centre for excellence focused on cybersecurity research, and a purpose-built cybersecurity centre for monitoring and managing threats across different industries.

There are two major benefits to South Australia's future from this: firstly, this is a $4.4 million investment. It will create 50 well-paid, high-value technology jobs that are currently in demand globally. Secondly, it gives our state a strong presence in the emerging demand for cybersecurity services. Cybersecurity is an industry that is becoming more important to Australia's national security—

Mr KNOLL: Point of order, Mr Speaker: the minister put out a press release on this this morning, and everything that he is discussing has already been sent to the media.

Members interjecting:

Mr KNOLL: 'NEC to set up $4.38 million cybersecurity centre in Adelaide and create 50 jobs.'

The Hon. P. Caica interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Colton is correct that I did hear the point of order the first time, and I call him to order.

Mr KNOLL: It's exactly relating to what you were talking about.

The SPEAKER: I will check against delivery.

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: Thank you, Mr Speaker. It's important that South Australia maintains capability in cybersecurity. The risk to business and government from computer intrusion and the spread of malicious code by organised crime have been assessed by the Australian government as high. In April this year, the Prime Minister released Australia's Cyber Security Strategy.

NEC's decision to establish one of its front-line information technology defences in Adelaide has been supported by the South Australian government's Investment Attraction Agency. As a result, the high-value jobs and industry expertise to be based here will play a significant role in the state's future. It's an example of a multinational enterprise choosing to expand their operations in South Australia where the best conditions for business make such decisive decisions achievable. It is also another achievement of the Investment Attraction Agency.

In October 2015, the South Australian government established the agency to lead the state's efforts in pursuing investment from overseas and interstate. In the nine months since then, 10 companies have been provided with assistance, primarily in the form of case management services. This has led to more than $950 million worth of direct investment for projects in the state that will create 3,800 direct and associated jobs for South Australians. These investments include ScreenAway, Orora Limited, Wineflow, Micromet, Hornsdale (Neoen France), West Franklin Development on Franklin Street, Vision on Morphett, Buddy Platform, Ingham Enterprises and now NEC.

These results support Deloitte's Investment Monitor report released in April for the March 2016 quarter, which shows that the value of investment projects in South Australia rose 14.2 per cent in the year to date to reach $41.5 billion. The state government is committed to ensuring development continues in South Australia. It's one of the reasons why we announced a $670 million tax cut initiative in the Mid-Year Budget Review that will assist in driving private capital investment up in South Australia. Good government means getting results. This morning was the latest example of that, and there is more to come.

The SPEAKER: That appeared to be wholly original. The leader.