House of Assembly Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1) 54 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Answers to Questions China and Japan Country Directors China and Japan Country Directors The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON House of Assembly Ramsay China and Japan Country Directors 719 The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay) (1 May 2019). How many applicants were there for the position of Country Director for China and Japan, respectively? What was the specific selection process for these positions, and who was on the selection panel? The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL House of Assembly Dunstan Premier China and Japan Country Directors The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier): I have been advised: 35 applications were received for the position of Country Director, China. 79 applicants were received for the position of Regional Director – Japan/Korea – South Australia. The selection panels consisted of representatives from the Department for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Department of the Premier and Cabinet and Austrade. The selection process for both positions was open and competitive. The selection panel chair reviewed all applications on a merit basis against the position selection criteria to determine an initial short list of applicants. Following this, the selection panel considered the initial short list of candidates and in consultation, selected those that would be invited to an interview. An interview process was conducted and a second round of interviews held for the position of Country Director, China. A reference check was undertaken by the selection panel chair and the panel then made a final determination on the preferred candidate. Austrade completed its internal clearance assessments on the preferred applicants prior to their appointment.