Regional Trade

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (14:56): The Hon. Mr Hood, I would have thought, but thank you, Mr President. My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Will the minister update the chamber on the recent Adelaide trade showcase held last week?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:56): I thank the honourable member for his question and his ongoing interest in this particular topic. As demonstrated with the launch of Australia's first entrepreneurial visa, the Marshall Liberal government is on the front foot, actively pursuing a growth agenda, which includes increasing our state's population through business migration.

Another example of our government's commitment to attracting high-calibre business migrants to the state was clearly shown by our support of the Adelaide trade showcase held last Thursday. The showcase was sponsored by KPMG and run in partnership with Immigration SA and the Australia China Business Council. I was glad to participate.

It was held at Plant 4 in Bowden, and it was a real buzz. There was an opportunity for me to speak, but the buzz was so good and so strong that I declined that opportunity. I would rather that business and people interact together. There were 300 guests made up of current businesses—

The Hon. R.P. Wortley: You were too busy eating some of those dim sims.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: There are some groans opposite but, Mr President, you have to understand that those people didn't go there to listen to a politician speak. They actually went there to do business and to talk about business, so I let them do that, because that's what they went for.

There were 300 guests made up of business visa holders looking for investment opportunities and migration agents, and I met a number of them, especially a number of significant investors. All of them were clients of Immigration SA, and these 300 guests were able to interact with 36 South Australian businesses who exhibited at the event.

Business matching is the name of the game, and the state government is keen to ensure that these highly motivated individuals are given every opportunity to succeed by partnering with local firms to open up new export opportunities in their home countries. Of course, a number of our world-class wineries and vineyards were present, including Anderson Hill, Bent Creek, Gemtree, Wines by Geoff Hardy, Alpha Box and Dice, Lannister, Nova Vita, Patritti, Thorn-Clarke, Lake Breeze, the Wilsford group, Momentum Food and Wine, Wilton Hill, Zonte's Footstep, First Drop and d'Arenberg.

Our state has much to offer, but more than just wine. We were also pleased to see other exhibitors, including Tuckers Natural; Sophia and John from Majestic Opals; Ambersun Alpacas; Yummy Kitchen; Jumaluk, which is citrus; Y natural skin care; Brayfield Park Lavender Farm; Emu Tracks emu oil; San Remo pasta; Mountain Fresh juices; Gelista Premium Gelati; SA Honey Co.; Oleapak olive oil, whom I also met and signed a major deal with just a few weeks ago; Longridge Olives; Jonny's Popcorn Delights; Cleanseas seafood; Bickford's; Peats Soil; Blue Lake Dairy; and MiniJumbuk.

Since attending the showcase, I have been told that a number follow-up visits have been organised between a number of businesses, business migrants and exhibitors. This is exactly the type of proactive role our government wants to play in facilitating—not directing but facilitating—trade between South Australian businesses and international partners. I look forward to continuing to work with these and other South Australian exporters to unlock new export opportunities in key markets to boost our state's economic performance, drive a stronger economy and create more jobs.