Legislative Council Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1) 54 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Australian Export Awards Australian Export Awards The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS Legislative Council Australian Export Awards The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:08): My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Can the minister please update the council about South Australian winners at the national 57^th Australian Export Awards? The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY Legislative Council Minister for Trade Australian Export Awards The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (15:09): I thank the honourable member for his ongoing interest in our exporters and the business community. I wish to express my heartfelt congratulations to all of the finalists and winners of the awards last night, and, in particular, the South Australian businesses. It was wonderful to see our federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment and proud South Australian, the Hon. Simon Birmingham, hosting the finalists in Parliament House in Canberra last night. There were 94 finalists, businesses that employ 34,000 Australians across the country. It was great to see all of those 94 businesses recognised last night. Additionally, it was great to see two South Australian businesses taking out awards last night. First of all, the University of Adelaide took out the International Education and Training Award. I offer my sincere congratulations to Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Rathjen and everyone at the university. This is a wonderful achievement for Adelaide University. I am looking forward to seeing Peter and the team on Friday night at the University of Adelaide International Education Gala Dinner. International education is, as members here would know, our second biggest export, second only to wine. International student enrolments have grown to 15.4 per cent, compared to the national growth of 10.4 per cent. Our goal, as members would be aware, is for 70,000 enrolments by 2030, and the University of Adelaide is doing the heavy lifting and contributing its share to the sector, and we are very confident that we will hit that target. Additionally, Rising Sun Pictures won the Creative Industries Award. This is a fantastic achievement for one of South Australia's most celebrated and innovative businesses. Rising Sun create amazing visual effects for movies all around the world, including blockbuster movies like X-Men, Dark Phoenix, Spider-Man: Far From Home and Alita: Battle Angel. Creative industries have been identified as a priority sector for the state and, over the next five to 10 years, based on the sector's potential growth, the government is facilitating the development of an industry-led creative sector strategy and is working with industry to incorporate the strategy in our growth state initiative. Additionally, our government is committed to transforming the state's economy through export growth and, as part of this, we are increasing our opportunities for trade and investment, ensuring that South Australia and South Australian companies are equipped with everything they need to succeed. Once again, I offer my congratulations to Rising Sun and the University of Adelaide as well as the other South Australian finalists, including Clean Seas Seafood, REDARC Electronics, Advanced Clinical, Zonge Engineering, Moneystack, Hazelgrove Wines, Sentek Technologies, Prophecy International, and Wines by Geoff Hardy. These fantastic businesses continue to play a very important role in the South Australian economy and I look forward to seeing their continued success along with other businesses in 2020.