Question Time

State Final Demand

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:20): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Trade and Investment regarding statistics.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: In December, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released the state final demand figures for the first quarter of the current financial year. South Australia had the worst results in the nation. Today, the figures have been released for the second quarter that cover the period before we were impacted by either bushfires or the coronavirus. My questions to the minister are:

1. What do the latest state final demand figures tell us about trade and investment in South Australia?

2. Can the minister explain how trade and investment figures are included in state final demand?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade and Investment) (14:21): I thank the honourable member for his question. Indeed, we have had some challenging times in South Australia over the last couple of years. The economy hasn't grown as quickly as we would have liked and a whole range of factors are included across South Australia.

Of course, drought has been a particularly significant impact across most of South Australia for two consecutive years. We have seen also other problems with some other industries. We have had Nyrstar in Port Pirie with some shutdowns and some problems, so the South Australian economy has suffered some headwinds.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: The figures that have been released today show, sadly, another bit of a deterioration on state final demand, but—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: I'm struggling to hear the minister. The opposition have asked a question. We would like an answer and we are getting one. I would like it in silence, please. Minister, continue—

The Hon. K.J. Maher: You might have to table your iPad, Ridgy, if you are reading straight from it.

The PRESIDENT: Minister, just before you continue. The Hon. Leader of the Opposition, you have asked a question, let's hear the answer.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: I think it's down about 0.1 of a per cent in today's figures. It is disappointing, and of course we have the ongoing threats now. We have obviously had the bushfires, but certainly I think the coronavirus will continue to present some threats.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Minister, have you finished?