Governor's Speech

His Excellency the Governor, having been announced by Black Rod, was received by the President at the bar of the council chamber and conducted by him to the chair. The Speaker and members of the House of Assembly having entered the chamber in obedience to his summons, His Excellency read his opening speech as follows:

Honourable members of the Legislative Council and members of the House of Assembly:

I have called you together for the dispatch of business.

I thank Uncle Lewis O'Brien, an Elder of the Kaurna people, for his generous welcome to country.

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of a former Governor and seven former members since the opening of the 52^nd Parliament.

In June 2013, Reverend Sir Keith Douglas Seaman passed away. Sir Keith served as Governor of South Australia between 1977 and 1982.

In November 1981, Sir Keith was made a Knight of the Royal Victorian Order, a form of knighthood that is the personal gift of the sovereign.

In March 2012, Mr Dale Baker passed away. He had been the member for Victoria, later MacKillop, from 1985 to 1997 and served the State as a minister from 1993.

In October 2012, Mr Maxwell Brown passed away. Mr Brown was first elected to the House of Assembly in 1970 as the member for Whyalla, and served until his retirement in 1985.

Mr Donald Ferguson passed away in March 2013.

Mr Ferguson was the Member for Henley Beach, which is now known as Colton, from 1982 to 1993, and served as Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees from February 1986 to February 1990 and again from October 1992 to December 1993.

The Honourable Frank Blevins passed away in September 2013. Mr Blevins served in the Legislative Council from 1975 to 1985, before serving as the Member for Whyalla, which later became Giles, from 1985 to 1997.

Mr Blevins served in many ministries throughout his 22 years of service, including forestry, agriculture and fisheries, health, transport and correctional services. He served as Deputy Premier between 1992 and 1993.

In September 2013, Mr Edward Connelly passed away. Mr Connelly served as the Member for Port Pirie from 1975 to 1977. He also served as Speaker from 1975 to 1977.

The Honourable Dr Robert Ritson also passed away in July 2013. Dr Ritson served in the Legislative Council from 1979 to 1993.

In November 2013, Mr Ivon Alfred Wardle passed away. Mr Wardle served as the member for Murray from 1968 to 1977.

We acknowledge the contributions made to our State by these worthy South Australians, and we offer our sincere condolences to their families and friends.

Honourable members:

Since February 2012 when I spoke in this place to open the second parliamentary session of the 52^nd Parliament, the global economic and political context in which we gather has moved remarkably.

At that time, I asserted that the decisions we make in the present decade will determine the future of South Australia.

I spoke of the uncertainty pervading our communities and the need to embrace bold new approaches.

In that speech, the Government identified seven strategic priorities, on which it promised to focus its agenda. They were:

An Affordable Place to Live

Creating a Vibrant City

Every Chance for Every Child

Safe Communities, Healthy Neighbourhoods

Growing Advanced Manufacturing

Realising the Benefits of the Mining Boom for all

Premium Food and Wine from our Clean Environment.

My Government today recommits to these priorities, aware that significant progress has already been made on each of them.

Since my last speech in this place, two significant events have occurred with direct and deep implications for the State.

In August 2012, BHP Billiton announced that it would delay plans for a multi-billion-dollar expansion of the Olympic Dam mine.

More recently, it was announced that Holden would cease operations in its Elizabeth plant from 2017.

Both events created a sense of disappointment and anxiety.

My Government understands how real people experience these economic events, because it understands that economic problems are also human problems.

Our car manufacturing industry was to provide the foundation from which we would realise an orderly transition to a sustainable advanced manufacturing sector.

This foundation has been removed, necessitating a more urgent response. The transition, which we initially planned to realise over a decade, must now be achieved by 2017.

We are now in a period of accelerated change that will be both challenging and unsettling, but South Australians have in the past demonstrated extraordinary resilience in the face of difficult circumstances.

This resilient character has recently been accompanied by a newfound confidence—a belief that irrespective of the challenges we may face, South Australia can and will shape its own destiny.

My Government has started to build a stronger South Australia. The physical changes evident in our city of Adelaide have inspired a fresh sense of optimism.

We have $3.4 billion of infrastructure projects, including nineteen privately funded projects, in and around the city that are in the approval pipeline or in case management—with projects yet to commence construction worth more than $750 million.

These projects further contribute to the vibrancy of the city and are helping to attract an unprecedented number of visitors to our State.

The number of overseas students we welcome to South Australia has surged. Compared to 2002, there are now 150 per cent more international students studying in South Australia.

The number of overseas tourists also continues to grow as the world awakens to what South Australia has to offer.

There is a new entrepreneurial spirit taking hold of the city. It is evident on the faces of young people in our restaurants and bars, as well as in our IT start-up companies.

And the dynamic nature of change and development in South Australia has not gone unnoticed.

Adelaide has been selected by National Geographic as one of the 17 smart cities of the world—and was the release site for the television series.

Adelaide was also selected alongside Paris, Zurich and Shanghai in Lonely Planet's 2014 Top 10 Cities of the world.

Our capital city is consistently rated as one of the world's most liveable cities and is the nation's safest capital city, yet remains an affordable place to live when compared to other Australian states and territories.

Our economy depends heavily on our capacity to retain our brightest minds and attract talented professionals from interstate and overseas. But they need more than a great place to live—they need a great job.

A strong, growing economy is the foundation from which South Australians can build full, rich lives and protect the things that we love most about our State.

It is important that we keep building and exploring new avenues through which we can accelerate the economic transformation already underway.

My Government will establish a department singularly focussed on the key economic drivers that will help achieve our transition to industries that add value.

The new Department of State Development will become the agency that is the principal driver of economic development in South Australia.

It will bring together a range of development activities such as employment and training programs, and industry and business development for both small and large businesses.

It will support the energy and resource sectors, science and innovation, and trade sectors.

Through these activities, the Department of State Development will lead the State's response to the challenges of transforming our economy and enhancing prosperity.

The department will identify the markets with the greatest potential demand for the goods and services for which we have developed a strong reputation and it will find new opportunities in sectors which are not considered as traditional strengths.

South Australia is well positioned to benefit from increasing global demand for high-quality education, business services, resources, financial services and for international tourism.

My Government will also give the Economic Development Board carriage of the Jobs Accelerator Fund.

The Jobs Accelerator Fund has been created to hasten the availability of job and training opportunities to those with the highest need, in particular South Australians adversely affected by sectoral change or experiencing inter-generational unemployment.

Some sectors of our economy must urgently adapt to externally generated conditions but others are well positioned to grasp new or emerging opportunities.

The Government's approach to making the most of those opportunities will be underpinned by three clear principles.

It will create an environment in which South Australians have the support they need to collaborate, innovate and embrace an outward looking approach.

First, my Government will intensify the level of collaboration between business, government and academia.

There are strong examples of how such partnerships can be developed.

Global technology giant Hewlett Packard recently decided to expand its presence in Adelaide, creating about 430 high-end technology jobs over the next four years.

Its operations will be complemented by the establishment of an Innovation and Collaboration Centre within the University of South Australia's new building in the Health and Biomedical Precinct on North Terrace.

The investment made into this precinct reflects the value South Australians place on health and wellbeing, and our commitment to excellence in research, clinical training and care.

But it will also attract talented young people to South Australia. It will be a beacon for high quality jobs.

It will help us export our medical innovation to the world, and my Government will establish a high powered Health Industry SA Board to help drive business opportunities that lead to job growth.

The Biomedical Precinct is quintessentially South Australian. It is an example of how partnerships can be established across government, business and academia to benefit the economy and society.

Innovation is the second principle underpinning my Government's plans to transform the economy.

We must develop a stronger culture of innovation in South Australia—of constantly searching for new and better ways of doing things.

The Government must lead by example.

The State's largest institution, the South Australian public sector, must be renewed. It must demonstrate its commitment to bold, innovative approaches and encourage other sectors to follow.

A high-value industrial and innovation hub on the old Mitsubishi site, Tonsley, is an example of how government can encourage innovative practices.

Tonsley is a place where sustainable industry, research, education and training, cooperate and collaborate to shape a better world.

It is a model that reflects a distinctly South Australian approach and lights a path for companies in our manufacturing sector.

The Government's cooperation with the iconic South Australian company 'Hills' is a wonderful example of how creative approaches can be supported.

Hills was originally famous for the Hills Hoist but is now focussed on satellite dishes, security systems and sophisticated products used in the health industry. The company has adapted to changing circumstances and has continued to thrive.

Tomorrow, two major innovation centres will be officially opened. My Government has matched Hills's investment of $2.5 million for these centres of development excellence.

It is an example of how government, business and academia can work together to build a stronger South Australia.

My Government will remove the barriers to creative approaches so that we can work together to discover different solutions and products—and then take them to the world.

The third principle underpinning the Government's approach to modernising and growing our economy is its commitment to an outward looking approach.

South Australia has gained a reputation as a welcoming, engaging state.

The contemporary South Australian character owes much to the transformative effect of the Dunstan years. The Honourable Don Dunstan, South Australia's 35^th Premier, was a true internationalist.

Cultural awareness in South Australia grew rapidly during the Dunstan era due to a rich network of cultural exchanges developed across Asia.

South Australia must continue to build upon this great modern tradition.

My Government has developed an overarching international engagement strategy, as well as specific engagement strategies for India and China.

The South Australia-India Engagement Strategy was released in May 2013. India is home to a rich cultural and linguistic diversity and a significant potential market.

It is now South Australia's largest source of migrants and their engagement will help us to build a bridge that spans the Indian Ocean.

The South Australia-China Engagement Strategy was released in December 2012.

It has yielded remarkable outcomes over a short period.

In the 12 months to January 2014, there was a 44 per cent increase in the value of South Australia's exports to China.

South Australia's exports have increased by 12 per cent in the same period, with exports to China accounting for three-quarters of that increase.

We also benefit from significant inbound investment in mining and resources sourced from China, as well as in local construction which is helping transform the face of Adelaide.

This extraordinary outcome validates my Government's China engagement strategy, which is driven by our distinctly South Australian approach.

For South Australia to succeed in Asia, we have to offer more than a transactional relationship. South Australia is committed to a policy of comprehensive engagement that transcends economics, politics and culture.

This approach will be reflected in the Southeast Asia Engagement Strategy, which will be released at the end of this year.

Southeast Asia is a dynamic region. Its rate of economic growth is impressive and we have strong existing ties with the region—both human and economic.

Principally through academic exchange, South Australians have developed a comprehensive network across Southeast Asia.

And in the year to February 2014, we achieved an 8.7 per cent increase in exports to the ASEAN bloc.

Our outward looking approach will have both economic and social benefits. It will make us financially and culturally richer.

My Government's three principles will ensure that the transformation that has been started will bring economic growth and prosperity to all South Australians.

To maximise the effectiveness of our three principles, however, they will need to be applied across all sectors of our economy.

To do so, we need to enhance our understanding, appreciation and support for sectors on which our economy depends.

The Premier's Agreement with the Member for Frome to Support Stable and Effective Government includes an undertaking to develop charters for stronger regional policy and for small business.

These charters outline a series of commitments and initiatives that will ensure that my Government will be more responsive to the needs of South Australia's regional communities and business community.

South Australian small businesses contribute enormously to our economy and to our community.

They bring diversity to the marketplace and a level of personal service that brings communities together.

My Government has introduced payroll tax reform that will benefit South Australian small businesses, and will reform the existing WorkCover scheme, so that it works effectively for both workers and employers.

The scheme will help injured South Australian workers return to the workforce sooner and will provide an ongoing saving to businesses in South Australia of approximately $180 million each year.

It will also protect and enhance the wellbeing of the most seriously injured at work, and will hold a clearer focus on recovery, retraining and return to work for those less seriously injured.

My Government is also committed to improving the operating environment for small business in South Australia.

My Government will reduce red tape, keep business costs as low as possible and improve access to self-help information tools.

These policies will complement recent initiatives designed to support South Australian small businesses, such as the Small Business Commissioner and Industry Participation Advocate.

My Government will also increase the level of support it provides to the regions.

Regional South Australia accounts for about 20 per cent of the State's population but contributes more than half of South Australia's overseas exports.

The regions will benefit from improvements to government agencies on which regional economic development leans heavily.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia will take responsibility for food manufacturing, which will allow the department to focus on the entire supply chain from paddock to plate.

And we will protect the pristine environment from which our premium food and wine is sourced.

My Government will also work closely with the Local Government Association of South Australia, regional local government bodies and individual local councils.

Together, they will work on bold economic and social initiatives designed to create new jobs and encourage healthy and satisfying lives in our communities.

An inclusive approach is required to keep building South Australia.

My Government will grow the economy to enhance the wellbeing and security of all South Australians.

Equal opportunity to participate fully in our society and economy is not possible without a quality public education system.

The Government remains committed to the continuous improvement to this system.

My Government will amend the Education Act to ensure that it better meets the needs of our children, our schools and their communities.

My Government will accelerate the reforms needed to support South Australia's integrated department and public education system.

My Government will reform governance arrangements and develop local partnerships across the State to enable greater community engagement in our schools' planning and decision making processes.

And it will introduce changes that will provide greater opportunity for feedback from students, parents and staff—including use of online tools to seek community opinions.

The Government is determined to ensure that all South Australians have the opportunity to participate in, and benefit from, a strong economy.

The growing tendency to separate economic policy from social outcomes has diminished the power and value of political discourse.

We need to remove any distance that currently separates economic growth and social benefit.

My Government's agenda is designed to improve the wellbeing of all South Australians.

We don't want to leave anyone behind.

Improving mental health and developing resilience should therefore be central to the work of government.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 45 per cent of South Australians experience mental illness over their lifetime.

The rate of suicide in South Australia is unacceptable, and in rural areas the rates are significantly worse than those of metropolitan areas.

It is disturbing to consider that so many young people living in our prosperous, safe communities suffer from depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses.

As a community, we need to dedicate ourselves more fully to the issue of mental health and wellbeing, effectively treating mental illnesses and deliberately building mental health.

Building the mental health, resilience and wellbeing in society should be considered as the principal measure through which we can understand the state of our economy and our society.

Significant steps have already been taken.

Since the release of the Social Inclusion Board's Stepping Up Report, South Australia's mental health system has been rebuilt.

More than $330 million has been invested to develop a new, modern mental health system.

We have acknowledged that we need to know more about these illnesses. The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute has a major focus on mental health.

My Government will establish a new, independent Mental Health Commission to better coordinate and integrate services critical to South Australians who suffer from mental illness.

The first task of the Commission will be to develop the next phase of mental health reform.

But we must also work to address this tremendous and growing problem at its source.

My Government will also expand existing efforts to implement the positive psychology approach that Martin Seligman has introduced to South Australia.

Our efforts will focus on building wellbeing, resilience and mental health for individuals, schools, and businesses—particularly those adversely affected by the changes taking place to our economy.

My Government also believes that South Australians should live free from fear.

The Government will deal firmly with anyone who works to diminish the security and wellbeing of our people.

It will reintroduce for the fourth time legislation to bankrupt repeat drug dealers.

It will introduce legislation to remove the ability for serious violent offenders to receive a wholly suspended sentence.

Legislation will also be introduced to allow South Australia Police to apply for control orders over child sex offenders, in order to restrict the activities of those convicted of those offences. They will, for example, be prevented from using the internet or attending certain locations.

My Government will protect those who dedicate their lives to community safety, through legislation that will require offenders who expose police officers to the risk of a communicable disease to undergo a blood test.

And the Government will work to ensure that all South Australians can access the justice system.

The Government will implement the nation's first Disability Justice Plan, so that people with disability can engage with the justice system on the same level as the rest of the community.

My Government's agenda will help enhance the prosperity, security and wellbeing of all South Australians.

And it will ensure that progress is achieved in a sustainable fashion.

South Australia leads the nation in the uptake of wind energy. In 2012-13, it accounted for 27 per cent of electricity generated in our State.

The Government will introduce into Parliament the Pastoral Land Management and Conservation (Renewable Energy) Amendment Bill 2014 to further facilitate the use of renewable energy in South Australia.

My Government will achieve economic growth that is inclusive, sustainable and will enhance the wellbeing of South Australians.

And it will realise its comprehensive agenda in a manner that improves the perception of our democratic institutions and processes.

Citizens are not convinced that policy is designed with their best interests in mind.

As a result, there appears to be a growing feeling of estrangement between politicians and the people they are elected to represent.

This suggests an urgent need to reform our democracy.

To govern effectively in a democracy, it is vital that people are confident that decisions are made for the right reasons.

We must therefore act to ensure that political donations are modest, transparent and offer no guarantee of influence on matters of public policy.

My Government will act so that any perception of impropriety is not hidden in the shadows—and we will deal decisively with those who have sought to benefit personally from corrupt practices.

To strengthen our democracy, all political parties must act to ensure that their internal processes are transparent and democratic.

As South Australians work together to shape the important questions concerning their future—and to find answers to those questions—we must be willing to involve people in the decisions that affect their lives.

The quality of government services shapes the popular perception of our public sector. We must perpetually seek to improve the quality of service we provide to those who rely heavily upon it.

Improved governance should be considered as one of the great challenges of this 53^rd Parliament.

Honourable members:

Following the recent State Election, the highly respected Member for Fisher, the Honourable Dr 'Bob' Such, has fallen ill and is undergoing treatment.

My Government wishes Dr Such a speedy recovery and I am sure that all members join me in bestowing their best wishes upon his family at this moment.

During this 53^rd Parliament, the legislative agenda undertaken by my Government will evolve and expand to reflect the sentiment expressed in the recent South Australian State Election.

Even though the result was not immediately apparent, the message was clear.

The people of South Australia demand more from our leaders, our parliament, and from the instruments of government.

The Government recognises the need for renewal.

I welcome new ministers Brock, Close, Bettison and Mullighan to the executive arm of the South Australian Government.

My Government will deliver a bold agenda that puts people first and creates sustainable jobs for the future.

It will govern for all South Australians, and restore their sense of financial and physical security, their aspirations and wellbeing, to the centre of our political discourse.

Honourable members:

I now declare this session open, and trust that your deliberations will serve the advancement of the welfare of South Australia and of its people.

The Governor retired from the chamber, and the Speaker and members of the House of Assembly withdrew.

The President again took the chair and read prayers.