International Trade

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (14:48): Only one? Which one do I go with? What follow-up has the minister undertaken with any of the organisations, businesses or government representatives, including the Korean minister he mentioned so fondly, as a result of his visit to Japan and South Korea? Will any of the follow-up meetings occur in South Australia?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:48): I have obviously written to them and thanked them all in a very formal way. That's why, though, with the follow-up meetings, we have a regional director, Sally Townsend. She is already busily doing all the follow-up and doing all that work. Whether I am there next or the Premier or the Hon. Mr Lucas as the Treasurer, whoever it is, that's why we have personnel on the ground so that we can actually do that work and build those relationships. Sally Townsend is doing that as we speak. She will give us advice on when we need to be back there.

Interestingly, representatives from the town that is hosting the road cycling and cycling championships for the Tokyo Olympics were here during the Tour Down Under and they are coming back again. There is a whole range of opportunities for follow-up, so we are constantly doing that. That is why we have a country director, so they can actually do that; the department is following them up.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Through me, the Hon. Mr Ridgway; through me.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Mr President—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Mr President, they don't understand that in China and Asia, certainly in Japan and those markets, unlike here politicians are still held in very high regard and when you are there as a minister it elevates the status. It is important and it signifies to the new—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Allow the minister to answer.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: It signifies to the nations we are going to that this is very important; it raises the status and the importance of it. Then we have, as I said, country directors to actually do the ground work. We will have people coming here and visiting, for sure, and there will be opportunities for me and other ministers and probably members opposite, especially the shadow ministers who get that generous 25 per cent loading on their salaries that allows them to travel. We would be very happy, if they wanted to travel, to make sure that there were some appointments made for them so they could actually do some work and be of some use and benefit to the state rather than just what they engage in here.