Mr ADAMSON - 1996-02-28
The Northern Territory government is always talking about how much effort it has been putting into developing trade with Asia, particularly the BIMP countries - Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Can the minister advise honourable members how fruitful these efforts have been?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for Casuarina for his question. This is one of the nicer aspects of politics. We do not always carry on like the opposition is carrying on today. There is no doubt that the government's push into Asia is achieving some excellent results. Yesterday, I was provided with some statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics that indicate that the Northern Territory's export earnings are continuing to increase considerably. In the first half of the 1995-96 financial year, the September and December quarters, the total Northern Territory exports increased by some $22m compared with the same period last year - from $597m to $619m.
We have directed a great deal of effort towards promoting the Territory and Territory businesses with the BIMP-EAGA countries - Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. I am pleased to note that those efforts are beginning to bear fruit. The Chief Minister extensively developed links in the region when he had responsibility for this portfolio. I have endeavoured to maintain those ties. I have already taken a number of business delegations to various parts of the region, including a well-publicised trip to Brunei. I believe our efforts to introduce private sector people to private sector people in those countries appears to have resulted in a substantial growth in Territory export earnings. Half-year exports to the BIMP countries are up by $46m. That is a massive 85% increase on earnings compared with the same period last year. In fact, almost $100m-worth of exports from the Northern Territory went to BIMP countries in the first 2 quarters of the 1995-96 financial year. That is almost double the figure of $53m for the same period last year. To put it another way, in 1994-95, the entire year saw $123m-worth of exports to BIMP countries. We have almost reached that figure in only half of this present financial year.
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I will give the breakdown of the figures for the first half of 1995-96 compared with the same period last year. I am told that much of the increase to Brunei results from the trade delegation that we took there late last year. The figure in that regard has increased from some $2.1m to $10.3m, a very substantial increase. Exports to Indonesia have almost doubled, from $25.5m to $50.7m. Exports to Malaysia had a fairly small increase, from $5.2m to $7.6m. Exports to the Philippines increased by almost one-third, from $20.3m to $30.4m. I point out that the most recent BIMP export figures - that is, exports for the December quarter 1995-96 - totalling $54m are higher than the half-year total of $53m for 1994-95.
There is no doubt that live cattle exports continue to provide a significant contribution to that export trade. With a value of $61m, exports are up in that industry by some $15m for the half-year of 1995-96 compared with 1994-95. While exports to the Philippines absorb much of this, growth in exports to the other BIMP countries obviously is becoming far more diversified. Indonesia, for example, has reported significant trade in motor vehicles, trailers and articles of furniture. However, whatever the industry, I believe these are very impressive figures. They are figures of which all Territorians should be very proud. This government certainly is. I believe I can confidently say that, with our ongoing push into Asia, the government will ensure that those figures continue to grow, and grow substantially, in the years to come.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for Casuarina for his question. This is one of the nicer aspects of politics. We do not always carry on like the opposition is carrying on today. There is no doubt that the government's push into Asia is achieving some excellent results. Yesterday, I was provided with some statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics that indicate that the Northern Territory's export earnings are continuing to increase considerably. In the first half of the 1995-96 financial year, the September and December quarters, the total Northern Territory exports increased by some $22m compared with the same period last year - from $597m to $619m.
We have directed a great deal of effort towards promoting the Territory and Territory businesses with the BIMP-EAGA countries - Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. I am pleased to note that those efforts are beginning to bear fruit. The Chief Minister extensively developed links in the region when he had responsibility for this portfolio. I have endeavoured to maintain those ties. I have already taken a number of business delegations to various parts of the region, including a well-publicised trip to Brunei. I believe our efforts to introduce private sector people to private sector people in those countries appears to have resulted in a substantial growth in Territory export earnings. Half-year exports to the BIMP countries are up by $46m. That is a massive 85% increase on earnings compared with the same period last year. In fact, almost $100m-worth of exports from the Northern Territory went to BIMP countries in the first 2 quarters of the 1995-96 financial year. That is almost double the figure of $53m for the same period last year. To put it another way, in 1994-95, the entire year saw $123m-worth of exports to BIMP countries. We have almost reached that figure in only half of this present financial year.
Page 1230
I will give the breakdown of the figures for the first half of 1995-96 compared with the same period last year. I am told that much of the increase to Brunei results from the trade delegation that we took there late last year. The figure in that regard has increased from some $2.1m to $10.3m, a very substantial increase. Exports to Indonesia have almost doubled, from $25.5m to $50.7m. Exports to Malaysia had a fairly small increase, from $5.2m to $7.6m. Exports to the Philippines increased by almost one-third, from $20.3m to $30.4m. I point out that the most recent BIMP export figures - that is, exports for the December quarter 1995-96 - totalling $54m are higher than the half-year total of $53m for 1994-95.
There is no doubt that live cattle exports continue to provide a significant contribution to that export trade. With a value of $61m, exports are up in that industry by some $15m for the half-year of 1995-96 compared with 1994-95. While exports to the Philippines absorb much of this, growth in exports to the other BIMP countries obviously is becoming far more diversified. Indonesia, for example, has reported significant trade in motor vehicles, trailers and articles of furniture. However, whatever the industry, I believe these are very impressive figures. They are figures of which all Territorians should be very proud. This government certainly is. I believe I can confidently say that, with our ongoing push into Asia, the government will ensure that those figures continue to grow, and grow substantially, in the years to come.
Page 1231
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016