Merchandise Exports

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:24): My next question to the Minister for Trade and Investment is: can the minister inform the chamber what South Australia's national share of merchandise exports are, what was South Australia's national share of merchandise exports during the 2019 calendar year, and can the minister clarify if this data includes services for South Australia?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade and Investment) (14:24): It is disappointing. I thank the honourable member for his question.

The Hon. E.S. Bourke: Rob, this is when you are meant to stand up. This is when the Treasurer should stand up.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Emily Bourke!

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Today, of course, the export figures were released and, unfortunately, South Australia's merchandise exports fell by 8.9 per cent, which is disappointing. I think that is the point that the members opposite missed yesterday and in fact they have missed most of their political lives: we have had two particularly rough seasons. Our big exports are, of course, some of the agricultural produce. We have had two droughts, not quite statewide but certainly significant droughts. We have seen the Thomas Foods big fire before the last election, so that had an impact. Droughts have an impact on the production of meat.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: The members opposite don't want to listen; they keep interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: The interjections are out of order. Continue.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Also, the processing of that meat. We have had Nyrstar and some shutdowns there. It is interesting to look at. Some of our export markets are up. Canada is up 97 per cent, China is up 6.3 per cent, Taiwan is up 77 per cent, Vietnam is up 27 per cent and Malaysia is up 5.4 per cent. I think that reinforces why it's important for us to keep focusing on the opening of our trade offices and making sure that we have people on the ground, especially at times like this when, especially to places like Japan and China, travel is almost impossible.

We actually have people on the ground working hard to make sure that our exporters will continue to be connected with their clients and, of course, in reverse, anybody wanting to invest in Australia, there is somebody to meet with to actually make those opportunities happen. It is important that we focus on how we actually deal with some of the current headwinds we are facing.

It is interesting some of the goods that have been up: copper is up some 27 per cent; iron ore is up 25 per cent; fruit and vegetables are up 13 per cent; and wine is up another $74 million, by another 4 per cent. Interestingly, notwithstanding the problems facing the rock lobster industry, fish and crustaceans are up $13 million or 4.9 per cent.

While we have some commodities—petroleum products have dropped off by some 57 per cent, and I am uncertain as to why that would be. Wheat, clearly, is down significantly, lead because of Nyrstar, and some other commodities have dropped. But the Marshall government is working hard to make sure we can capitalise on our opportunities.