Export Partnership Program

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright) (14:21): My question is to the Minister for Investment and Trade. Minister, how has the Export Partnership Program assisted South Australian business?

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) (14:21): I thank the member for Wright for her question. The Export Partnership Program, which was launched on 5 March 2015, is very important to small business because it has as its goal to create jobs and investment in South Australia through exporting our goods and services. The program has been an overwhelming success, with 310 applications having been received. The first seven rounds involved almost $3.27 million being offered to 149 successful applicants.

Building robust trade and export growth is a pathway to a strong economy and to jobs. Over 72,000 South Australians now take a meal home every night based on selling our goods and services. It is playing a very important role in the transformation that is underway through the replacement of automotive jobs in a new and reformed economy. We are committed to helping open global markets to South Australian businesses, and I remind the house that there are 3.5 billion customers to our north, our north-west and our north-east and only around 25 million here in Australia.

Through this program, local businesses can apply for up to $50,000 for eligible projects and activities. The program helps companies access the right tools and supports them to grow and build international networks that can often be financially challenging to access. Grants may be used to support SA businesses to attend key international trade events as well as for preparation of written and electronic materials, websites, coaching, training, market intelligence and mentoring in order to plan for international opportunities and to build their export capabilities.

The government's international engagement program objectives are to boost exports, creating jobs and new opportunity for the state. International missions in 2016 created 1,500 business connections, more than 650 export leads, with a combined value of $300 million. The scale of the response demonstrates a growing appetite in the small to medium enterprise sector to grasp the opportunities made available in our region—China, India, Europe and South-East Asia and other destinations. I congratulate the 19 successful applicants for round 7 and advise the house that round 8 of the program closed on 17 February 2017. The EPP panel met last month and I look forward to updating the house on their recommendations.

I can also advise today that I have approved changes to the Export Partnership Program to include access for grants to small business associations and industry groups. Having been national secretary of an industry association and state president, I know the good work they do. They are a gateway to their stakeholders, their members. They do important work. The associations should be able to work with their members to put together export plans and proposals that will carve a pathway for other similar businesses. Industry groups funding categories will shortly be rolled out to support the program and the state's efforts to grow jobs and investment through exports.

I congratulate the 19 successful companies. I would like to mention a few in the time remaining: Alpha Box & Dice winery, $25,000; Ashton Valley Fresh Pty Ltd, $45,000; Atkins Photo Lab, $16,000; Bullet Cylinder Heads, $8,500; Eldredge Vineyards, $4,325; Goolwa PiPi Co, $30,000; Hewitson, $35,000; Kaesler Wines, $25,000; Kirrihill Wines, $23,250: KMS Conveyors, $26,400; Kosmea Australia, $5,559; Majestic Opals, $15,000; Mayura Station, $43,200; and many more. These people are building the future for the state.

The SPEAKER: The Liberal Party Whip has asked me to call the member for Florey in lieu of a Liberal Party question.