South Australia-China Trade Relations

Ms HOOD (Adelaide) (14:22): My question is to the Minister for Trade and Investment. Can the minister update the house on recent developments in the trade and economic relationship between South Australia and China?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS (Cheltenham—Minister for Trade and Investment, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Veterans Affairs) (14:22): I thank the member for her question. I particularly note the support she provides to local exporters in her community and also, more broadly, the support she provides and the close work she does with Chinese-born residents of her wonderful electorate.

The South Australian export sector is the backbone of our state's economy; we are a trading state. As this chamber is well aware, this is a government that supports businesses to create jobs and prosperity for the people of our state. So we have been delighted to see the state's export figures go from strength to strength, with ABS data showing that our state's export goods have grown to the value of $17.6 billion in the last 12 months. This has been driven largely by outstanding double-digit growth in major trading partners like China and the US, but also Vietnam, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

Refined copper and wine continue to grow. Iron ore and barley, sheep meat and beef meat are all growing: sheep meat up 6.2 per cent and beef up 125 per cent. While this—

Mr Telfer interjecting:

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: We will get to the low bar you guys set; just give me a minute. While this global success story is significant, I think it is important that we highlight the current state of trade between South Australia and China. I can inform the house that South Australia's exports to China have hit a new record. Latest ABS data shows the value of South Australia's exports to China rose 46 per cent over the last 12 months to a record $4.27 billion.

Our state has exceptionally high-quality produce and this is in high demand from increasingly affluent and aspirational Chinese consumers. This includes our fantastic wine, our outstanding sustainable seafood and, of course, the fruits of the hard labour of agribusiness and primary producers. Unfortunately, for an extended period of time it simply was not possible for exporters to get access to this market. Under the stewardship of the former Morrison Liberal government we saw communication with China completely breakdown. Trade restrictions were imposed and our products were off the plates of the Chinese.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Members on my left will come to order. The member for Chaffey, you are being a little loud. I know you are trying to get out a little bit earlier today, but I might make you hang around a bit longer. The minister.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: As I was saying, it is fantastic to see the adults back in charge in Canberra. I pay credit to two very proud South Australians, the federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Minister.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Thank you, sir. It is almost as though the member for Chaffey has got some preselection challenges in his electorate. It is almost directly proportionate to the number of challenges he has got—is it two or three?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order that the member for Morialta is about to make. Will the minister please stick to the subject matter.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: Sorry, I will.

The SPEAKER: It makes it hard for me to control those on my left when you are antagonising those people. If you do not come back to the point of the question, you will be chucked out.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: I would be more than happy to continue to discuss the fantastic primary producers in the member for Chaffey's electorate, rather than his own preselection challenges. As I said, the adults are back in charge in Canberra and the stabilisation of the China relationship has seen an ability for South Australia to be back at the table. There has been a full resumption of all trade restrictions. Tuna is continuing to perform well, but what we have seen is a resumption of barley, a resumption of meat and a resumption of lobster. But most importantly, what our government has done is not to sit back and watch. We have announced the China re-engagement wine package. We announced a re-engagement package for seafood because, unlike those opposite, who look to the commonwealth and do not say a word, we act quickly and we are prepared to act, when the adults are back in charge.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The minister's time has expired. Maybe save it for the next one. The leader.