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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-05-18 Daily Xml
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Export Initiatives

Ms HUTCHESSON (Waite) (14:43): My question is to the Minister for Trade and Investment. Minister, how is the state government—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Waite, please be seated. Member for Chaffey, you can leave for the remainder of question time under 137A. You have had ample warning.

The honourable member for Chaffey having withdrawn from the chamber:

Ms HUTCHESSON: Minister, how is the state government planning to promote South Australian products in the Japanese market?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. N.D. CHAMPION (Taylor—Minister for Trade and Investment, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Planning) (14:43): I thank the member for Waite for her question and her interest in our export markets and the way the Malinauskas Labor government is working to sell South Australia to the world following an unprecedented and turbulent time in our state's export markets. I am pleased to advise that South Australia will partner with—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. N.D. CHAMPION: —Rakuten, described as the Amazon of Japan, and on 26 May a dedicated South Australian page will go live—

Mr Patterson interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Morphett is called to order.

The Hon. N.D. CHAMPION: —on its platform.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Wright is warned for the first time.

The Hon. N.D. CHAMPION: In Japanese, Rakuten stands for optimism, and the department, our business and export partners—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Wright!

The Hon. N.D. CHAMPION: —and the government and, I am sure, the opposition are all very optimistic about the unique and exciting opportunity that South Australia has been able to secure. We already treasure our trading relationship with Japan, a relationship that already sees it entrenched as South Australia's fifth largest export market, with an export value of almost $700 million per annum.

The opening of new opportunities into the everyday Japanese market is a welcome new tool to enhance the state's export activities and increase our footprint in Japan. And, make no mistake, the reach and presence of Rakuten should not be understated. The Rakuten group has over 1.6 billion members globally. I am sure that many in this place, including the member for Morphett, will have seen the Rakuten logo emblazoned on advertising hoardings at major events such as the premier international tennis team event, the Davis Cup, while others might be more familiar with the sponsorship of some of the globe's biggest sporting teams, be it on Steph Curry's Golden State Warriors jersey in the NBA or across the front of the La Liga's Spanish giant Futbol Club Barcelona shirt.

In the domestic market alone, Rakuten has over 111 million Japanese users and is home to almost 30 per cent of Japanese e-commerce, equating to some $40 billion in 2020, a portion of which South Australia is now primed to gain access. The 3 June go-live date is the culmination of over 12 months hard work. I like to put on record—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. N.D. CHAMPION: I don't mind acknowledging it. I would like to put on record, in this place, my acknowledgement of the department’s—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hartley!

The Hon. N.D. CHAMPION: —regional director, Sally Townsend, and her team in Japan for delivering this project and partnership, and we wish it a long and successful endeavour. I am happy to acknowledge my predecessor's role, if he had one, in this project as well.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. N.D. CHAMPION: In keeping with Rakuten's company philosophy, South Australia and Rakuten will walk together, providing a new exposure for South Australian producers and exporters alike. Along with a first mover advantage on Japan's premium e-commerce platform, we are seeking to establish our own unique footprint in the Japanese market.

This initiative will see nine new South Australian businesses enter the Japanese market for the first time and provide additional support and exposure to over 70 companies already in market, including over 50 wineries, from small Adelaide Hills producers like BK Wines and Jauma to iconic names such as D'Arenberg, Henschke and Penfolds.

South Australia will be the first Australian jurisdiction with a standalone designated page that showcases the very best of our state's premium wine, beer, gin, honey, almonds, seafood, sweets, spreads and pet food, along with fashion and beauty products. As a result of this partnership and South Australia's designated page, some additional 400 products will be listed, increasing the number of South Australian products on the Rakuten platform to almost 2,500. With that increase comes an anticipation that this initiative will yield an increase in the value of our export sales into the Japanese market.

Recently, the Premier and I had the honour to meet with the Japanese Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Mr Shingo Yamagami, and the Consul-General of Japan, Mr Shimada Junji, and reiterated our commitment to the Japanese-South Australian relationship. We hope that a presence on platforms such as Rakuten, built over time, over the last 12 months—

Mr Gardner: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: Minister, there's a point of order. I anticipate that—

The Hon. N.D. CHAMPION: —will ensure that South Australia continues to be a trusted brand within the Japanese market.

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