Trade Offices

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (14:37): My question is for the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Will the minister outline how the Marshall Liberal government is reversing Labor's cuts to the South Australian trade office network?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:37): I thank the honourable member for his ongoing interest in the regaining our ground policy that we took to the last election to open a network of trade offices around the world. On Monday 4 March, I will fly out to Tokyo on a business mission that will take in Japan and Korea. During my time in Japan, I will be assisting South Australian exporters at Foodex Japan, the 44^th International Food and Beverage Exhibition, the largest Asian exhibition dedicated to food and drink.

The exhibition will run for four days where around 85,000 buyers from various food and beverage companies and suppliers are expected to attend from more than 80 separate nations. The centrepiece of my visit will be the opening of the North Asia trade office and investment office in Tokyo. The office will be located within the Tokyo Austrade building, delivering significant advantages not only at an operational level but also an overall cost perspective.

This office will cover our significant trading partners of Japan and Korea as well as the broader region, and aiding South Australian businesses to take full advantage of the trade and export opportunities that our free trade agreements provide, and facilitating foreign direct investment into our state. Members would be aware that this is the second trade and investment office the Marshall Liberal government has opened in our first year of government, following closely behind the opening of our Shanghai office in November last year. The office opening is the next instalment of the Liberal government's delivery on our election commitments to roll out a comprehensive trade office network across the globe.

We are reversing Labor's cuts and restoring our reputation internationally by showing our trading partners that South Australia is present and invested in their markets. We understand that businesses need dedicated, on-ground support—fleeting visits once every few years just doesn't cut it. MoUs with no KPIs or follow-up just doesn't cut it either. I refer honourable members opposite to an article from InDaily in 2015, and I quote:

InDaily can reveal the cost of a major delegation is roughly equivalent to maintaining a dedicated office for a year.

Former minister, the Hon. Martin Hamilton-Smith and very good friend of those members opposite, especially the opposition leader, 'confirmed the estimated cost of the 256-delegate China mission was $187,000'.

Let's reflect on that: $187,000 could keep a trade office open, providing support for hundreds of South Australian businesses whenever they needed it, for an entire year. Using the former minister's own words—and the Hon. Kyam Maher is a very good friend of the Hon. Martin Hamilton-Smith—'A good export development program will use both elements (international offices and trade missions) because they benefit from one another.' Yet those opposite shut down all but one of our trade offices.

That is enough talk about the failed policies of those opposite. I am here to talk about our positive agenda. With everything going smoothly, we aim to have the rest of our offices open and operating by the end of 2020. The quicker we can get them opened and staffed, the sooner our local businesses can begin to benefit from their on-ground support and expertise.

The second leg of our North Asia trip will see us visit Korea, where we will meet a range of officials and businesses interested in learning more about the great opportunities we have on offer in South Australia. Engagements include meetings with the Australian Ambassador in Seoul and senior trade commissioner in Austrade as well as Hanwha Energy, Hyundai motors, H2 Korea and more. As you can see, we are about ending the travelling circuses of the former minister. The Marshall Liberal government is supporting our exporters. I look forward to updating the chamber on the successful outcomes and the opening of our North Asia office during the next week of parliament.