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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-11-09 Daily Xml
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SOUTH AUSTRALIAN EXPORTS

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (14:28): My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade. Can the minister update the house on South Australia's latest overseas export figures, and how the government is engaging the big economies of the world to ensure they continue to grow?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:28): I thank the member for his very important question and his keen interest.

Ms Chapman: Governor for Puglia.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I'm not Italian.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: We all look the same, do we? We all look the same. The value of South Australia's overseas' goods exports have increased again by a massive 35 per cent in the 12 months to September, to stand at a record $11.7 billion, $3 billion more than this time a year ago.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: South Australia has again led the nation. Again, we have outstripped our nearest rival, Western Australia, by 10 per cent The increase in value has come despite a fluctuating Australian dollar and the ramifications of ongoing changes to our global economy, as outlined by the Leader of the Opposition today in her response to the select committee report. Key elements in this growth are increases to the value of our exports. The hard work of our farmers—

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Are you a farmer? Other than the member for Schubert.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Wheat, Madam Speaker: through the hard work of our farmers, wheat has grown by 153 per cent to over $1 billion. Copper: are there any miners?

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: And that's the attitude of the opposition when it comes to mining. Copper, Madam Speaker.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: I have a point of order, Madam Speaker. It is impossible to hear the answer.

The SPEAKER: Absolutely I uphold that point of order. You will be quiet.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Copper, which has grown by 113 per cent to—

The Hon. I.F. Evans interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I was 11 years old. Are you blaming me for that? Copper, Madam Speaker, has grown by 113 per cent to $693 million. Lead has seen an increase of 63 per cent, or $205 million. Metal ores and scrap metal have increased by 28 per cent, or $434 million. Other commodities, which include bulk barley, have risen by 32 per cent, or $531 million.

The government has been pragmatic in identifying and engaging economies around the world that have a demand for our goods. In China and India, we have established a permanent presence to ensure that the gates of investment and trade—

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —remain wide open. This has resulted in a substantial increase in exports in the 12 months to September. In India, we have increased by $17.9 million. In China, we have increased by a massive $891.9 million, or 62.4 per cent.

Yesterday, I returned from China where I attended the China Mining Congress & Expo. At this expo, which I encourage members opposite to attend (especially the Leader of the Opposition, who has not thus far attended China, which I encourage her to travel to as quickly as she possibly can), I was able to promote South Australia's investments and business opportunities in mining exploration and upstream service sectors, as well as promoting some of our major projects to major Chinese business networks.

Based on South Australia's reception at the expo—and I took with me, of course, the Mayor of Port Pirie and his chief executive to speak at the expo—it is clear that a desire for further investment is very strong. What is also clear is that China sees South Australia as a key partner in sustaining its own growth. China recognises the volume of our raw materials, combined with our close proximity, as a significant link in its economic chain. The International Monetary Fund is forecasting China's growth this year at 9.5 per cent compared with just 1.5 per cent in the United States and a 0.5 per cent contraction in Japan.

Mr Pengilly: What's that got to do with exports in South Australia?

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: No, I won't. I'll speak to you afterwards.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Members on my left will be quiet. I can't hear the minister.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: We stand on the precipice of economic greatness in this state. By fostering our trade links—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Madam Speaker, every time this state succeeds, a little part of them dies. We all understand that. By fostering trade links and travelling overseas and meeting prospective businesses that want to invest in South Australia, we can actually encourage trade. Generally, trade links are bipartisan, and I thank the shadow minister for his bipartisan support in making sure that these trade links are actually fostered.

By working together, we can promote the state even more. This state has a great capacity to innovate. We are great manufacturers, we have great manufacturing qualities, and our vast natural resources will ensure sustainable growth and prosperity for generations of South Australians to come.

The SPEAKER: Minister, you seem to have a lot of charisma. The opposition gets terribly excited every time you get up on your feet. I applaud you for that.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition.

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