❓ Mr. Mubarakai questions the Minister for Asian Engagement on how the Asian engagement strategy will attract investment and if alternative approaches risk investment. The Minister outlines the strategy's goals for trade, diversification, and workforce development, contrasting it with the previous government's inaction.
AnsweredQoN 714Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ASIAN ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
714. Mr Y. MUBARAKAI to the Minister for Asian Engagement:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's commitment to diversifying the state's economy and
creating jobs.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how WA's first-ever Asian engagement
strategy will lay the groundwork for this government's commitment to
attracting more investment in the state of Western Australia from Asia?
(2) Is the
minister aware of any alternative approaches that would put this investment at
risk?
714. Mr Y. MUBARAKAI to the Minister for Asian Engagement:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's commitment to diversifying the state's economy and
creating jobs.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how WA's first-ever Asian engagement
strategy will lay the groundwork for this government's commitment to
attracting more investment in the state of Western Australia from Asia?
(2) Is the
minister aware of any alternative approaches that would put this investment at
risk?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for Jandakot for that question. I was very proud, on Friday,
to launch the McGowan government's Asian engagement strategy—the
first ever in the history of this state. It is quite historic for its foresight
and intention to create a diversified economy that is so sorely needed to make
sure there are jobs for not only our children, but also our children's
children—jobs that we cannot even necessarily describe today. The
strategy will reach out to about 2030, so it is ambitious in its intent. It is
the first time it has been attempted in the
state's history. In outline, the strategy has three main thrusts—to
increase trade and investment for the delivery of job creation through
both inbound investment and outbound export; to diversify the economy, which
the government is singularly focused on; and to develop an Asia-engaged
workforce, the much-needed software of our own economy, to make sure that we
are job ready for the future changing nature of work in Western Australia and
in our Asian markets.
The Asian century has become a cliche,
if you like, but some of the metrics are compelling. That is where 54 per cent
of this state's export income is earned. By 2030, 60 per cent of the
world's middle class will be occupied in our time zone. Asia will
represent 42 per cent of the global economy. These are the indicators that we
must pay attention to, and they have been growing for some time. This has been
here since the Gillard government identified the opportunity in 2010, with the
Asian century white paper, which all states should have taken heed of at that
time, and delivered strategies to make sure we were taking our best
opportunity. In fact, the best indicator of where this state has grown its
export income is over the 14 years to last year. We went from $24 billion to
$129 billion. These are the sorts of things that a good government should never
ignore—the demand opportunity, particularly in our region, three to
five hours to our north. The Asian engagement strategy is historic in its
approach to this, and making sure that we are delivering for future
generations. It takes time.
We recognised this when we were in
opposition. The then Leader of the Opposition, Mark McGowan, identified the
requirement to have a cabinet-level representation of that opportunity, hence
an Asian engagement minister was conceived.
The Asian engagement strategy was delivered under the leadership of the Premier, Mark McGowan, on ascending to
government in 2017. It is very important that we bring a focus to this,
because the Premier's focus is on jobs, and he has delivered on jobs—nearly
52 000 additional jobs into our economy from when we started. He has delivered
on the priorities of this government, in making sure that there is a laser-like
focus on the opportunities that we are looking for. The Minister for Tourism is
bringing the opportunities here by the planeload, and we are looking forward to
further announcements on the back of the
Minister for Tourism's hard work. The Minister for Mines and Petroleum is delivering jobs in brand-new, previously unconceived industries, such as
lithium battery technologies. That is the sort of focus that the McGowan
government brings to the table when it comes to future jobs. The Minister for
Transport is building trains in Western Australia. This government is committed
to jobs. The Minister for Education is delivering a strategy through StudyPerth
and putting additional funds in to deliver the international students that we
know this state needs. These are fundamental approaches that any good
government would take.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse, listen—this is interesting.
Mr
P.C. TINLEY : As I said, we have
known about the Asian opportunity for some time. The previous government has a serious apology to make to the economy and the people of Western Australia.
What were members opposite doing for eight and a half years? They were standing
back. There was a poultice of cash coming through the door, and all the
previous government was doing was sitting in the back of the wheelhouse,
leaving the ship to steer itself. The
previous government drove us onto the fiscal reef because it was hands off, and
asleep at the wheel. The rest of the Asian economy was moving, but the
previous government was just shipping rocks and crops up there. The Minister
for Tourism, for example, is shipping flowers, chocolate and avocados, but all
members opposite want to do is to live in the past.
As a final note, I want to make the
point that I am looking forward, now that we have set the light and identified
the path, to bipartisan support. I am glad that the Leader of the Opposition
has identified a shadow Minister for Asian Engagement. I am glad that she has
appointed her most experienced former minister to the role. I look forward to
the contribution from the opposition. Some members on the other side actually
get the opportunities. They are showing true leadership by turning up and being
present to the opportunities, and educating themselves on what they are. The member for Geraldton is one of those people. He
understands the opportunities. He has been involved in an
internationally focused business. Unfortunately, it was not his home there, and
he has moved a little bit. I recommend that the member for Geraldton comes
around the J curve a little bit further, and then he will be home.
thank the member for Jandakot for that question. I was very proud, on Friday,
to launch the McGowan government's Asian engagement strategy—the
first ever in the history of this state. It is quite historic for its foresight
and intention to create a diversified economy that is so sorely needed to make
sure there are jobs for not only our children, but also our children's
children—jobs that we cannot even necessarily describe today. The
strategy will reach out to about 2030, so it is ambitious in its intent. It is
the first time it has been attempted in the
state's history. In outline, the strategy has three main thrusts—to
increase trade and investment for the delivery of job creation through
both inbound investment and outbound export; to diversify the economy, which
the government is singularly focused on; and to develop an Asia-engaged
workforce, the much-needed software of our own economy, to make sure that we
are job ready for the future changing nature of work in Western Australia and
in our Asian markets.
The Asian century has become a cliche,
if you like, but some of the metrics are compelling. That is where 54 per cent
of this state's export income is earned. By 2030, 60 per cent of the
world's middle class will be occupied in our time zone. Asia will
represent 42 per cent of the global economy. These are the indicators that we
must pay attention to, and they have been growing for some time. This has been
here since the Gillard government identified the opportunity in 2010, with the
Asian century white paper, which all states should have taken heed of at that
time, and delivered strategies to make sure we were taking our best
opportunity. In fact, the best indicator of where this state has grown its
export income is over the 14 years to last year. We went from $24 billion to
$129 billion. These are the sorts of things that a good government should never
ignore—the demand opportunity, particularly in our region, three to
five hours to our north. The Asian engagement strategy is historic in its
approach to this, and making sure that we are delivering for future
generations. It takes time.
We recognised this when we were in
opposition. The then Leader of the Opposition, Mark McGowan, identified the
requirement to have a cabinet-level representation of that opportunity, hence
an Asian engagement minister was conceived.
The Asian engagement strategy was delivered under the leadership of the Premier, Mark McGowan, on ascending to
government in 2017. It is very important that we bring a focus to this,
because the Premier's focus is on jobs, and he has delivered on jobs—nearly
52 000 additional jobs into our economy from when we started. He has delivered
on the priorities of this government, in making sure that there is a laser-like
focus on the opportunities that we are looking for. The Minister for Tourism is
bringing the opportunities here by the planeload, and we are looking forward to
further announcements on the back of the
Minister for Tourism's hard work. The Minister for Mines and Petroleum is delivering jobs in brand-new, previously unconceived industries, such as
lithium battery technologies. That is the sort of focus that the McGowan
government brings to the table when it comes to future jobs. The Minister for
Transport is building trains in Western Australia. This government is committed
to jobs. The Minister for Education is delivering a strategy through StudyPerth
and putting additional funds in to deliver the international students that we
know this state needs. These are fundamental approaches that any good
government would take.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse, listen—this is interesting.
Mr
P.C. TINLEY : As I said, we have
known about the Asian opportunity for some time. The previous government has a serious apology to make to the economy and the people of Western Australia.
What were members opposite doing for eight and a half years? They were standing
back. There was a poultice of cash coming through the door, and all the
previous government was doing was sitting in the back of the wheelhouse,
leaving the ship to steer itself. The
previous government drove us onto the fiscal reef because it was hands off, and
asleep at the wheel. The rest of the Asian economy was moving, but the
previous government was just shipping rocks and crops up there. The Minister
for Tourism, for example, is shipping flowers, chocolate and avocados, but all
members opposite want to do is to live in the past.
As a final note, I want to make the
point that I am looking forward, now that we have set the light and identified
the path, to bipartisan support. I am glad that the Leader of the Opposition
has identified a shadow Minister for Asian Engagement. I am glad that she has
appointed her most experienced former minister to the role. I look forward to
the contribution from the opposition. Some members on the other side actually
get the opportunities. They are showing true leadership by turning up and being
present to the opportunities, and educating themselves on what they are. The member for Geraldton is one of those people. He
understands the opportunities. He has been involved in an
internationally focused business. Unfortunately, it was not his home there, and
he has moved a little bit. I recommend that the member for Geraldton comes
around the J curve a little bit further, and then he will be home.
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