International Airline Traffic to Adelaide

Mr DIGHTON (Black) (14:53): My question is to the Minister for Trade and Investment. Can the minister advise the house how an increase in flights and airline connectivity into Adelaide is helping grow South Australia's economy and export sector?

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS (Cheltenham—Minister for Trade and Investment, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:53): I thank the member for Black for his question, and I certainly can. This government is singularly focused on growing our economy but not just growing our economy for its own sake but growing the economy to ensure that prosperity is shared by all South Australians. As we open Adelaide to the world, and continue to open Adelaide to the world, it's local businesses, it's local farmers, it's local exporters who continue to see the real benefits of those things.

Since coming to office, our government has overseen an over-50 per cent increase in the number of direct flights coming to Adelaide. What that means is that the best of our city, the best of our state, the best of regional South Australia and their primary producers is now making its way to the world more easily.

Last October, we saw the resumption of direct Emirates airline services between Adelaide and Dubai. That is generating $100 million in additional airfreight value every single year. We saw the return of direct mainland China flights with China Southern Airlines resuming to Guangzhou and connecting our state with our largest trading partner, a two-way trade, worth more than six and a half billion dollars and growing every single year.

Hong Kong, one of Asia's most dynamic commercial capitals, in fact one of the most important sources of FDI for our state, sees exports growing to more than $230 million annually. I am pleased to advise that there has been in the vicinity of a 2,000 per cent increase in spirits exports, including from Never Never Distillery, going into Hong Kong thanks to our specific efforts there.

Just this week, I was delighted to represent the Minister for Tourism as we saw more flights, this time to a destination that has never been connected to Adelaide, and that is Christchurch: not just our cousins across the ditch, not just our state's longest and most important ally, but a half a billion dollar trading partner with New Zealand.

These flights are putting us on the global stage, they are boosting trade, they are boosting tourism and they will, of course, provide more options for our exporters.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: A lot of interest from those opposite. For a bunch of members who represent regional communities, they should—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Members on my left will come to order!

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: —be really pleased about our premium produce, the fruit, the vegetables—

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Morialta is warned for the final time.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS: —and the rock lobster, as the member for MacKillop so diligently asked about yesterday, all getting off, all getting out of South Australia quicker, faster and with higher value. And there is high-end medical equipment, lamb and beef, perfumes and, of course, wines. There might even be a bit of Riverland wine under that belly there as well.

For the second year in a row that figure has grown. Almost 5,000 tonnes, worth $310 million, have left our state in the last 12 months, including, the love of many people in this house, the good old RM Williams. As I joined the Premier at Salisbury to open up their new facility and celebrate five years, they are seeing their global expansion supported by the increase in airfreight.