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Under Libs, new State Governor will sell SA

Jan 28, 2014
Queen Elizabeth with her representative in SA, Governor Kevin Scarce

Queen Elizabeth with her representative in SA, Governor Kevin Scarce

South Australia’s new Governor will have a leading role in export market development under a Marshall State Government, the Liberal Party’s Trade and Investment Policy says.

The policy, released today, outlines the state’s sales pitch to overseas buyers in seven regional economic zones which it says will maximise trade and investment outcomes for South Australia.

It says the State Governor will be the lead personality in trade delegations.

The current Governor, retired Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, was used by the Rann Government in 2005 to lead a team charged with expanding the state’s defence business opportunities.

The main target of that project, however, was local as the Federal Government considered sites where it would build its Air Warfare Destroyers.

In 2006 Scarce was appointed as an adviser to DefenceSA and later appointed as Governor.

His term started in 2007, was extended by two years in 2012 and expires this August. He will not be seeking any further extension.

The new State Governor – under a Marshall State Government – is most likely to come from a business background, the policy implies.

“In a globalised economy, South Australia cannot afford to ignore the wide range of opportunities available to us,” the Liberal policy document says.

“We have identified the following seven regions as having substantial opportunities for export and  investment growth;South East Asia, China, The Americas, Europe, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), North Asia and South Asia.”

The policy says the state’s sales pitch will include an Export Ambassadors Program.

“South Australian Export Ambassadors will include expatriate South Australians who are now living and working in export markets internationally, who will allow local export companies to tap in to the networks and understand the cultural politics of export destinations,” the policy says.

“The South Australian Government conducts regular trade missions to foreign markets. Wherever possible, we will invite the Governor of South Australia to lead these trade delegations.

“Too often, these delegations have had a higher focus on political publicity, as opposed to their genuine purpose in facilitating export opportunities.

“We will invite the Governor to be patron of this program, and will provide the resources to allow the Governor to accompany these trade missions, where a vice-regal presence would be of benefit to the mission.”

The policy also includes and Export Market Access Grant Scheme with grants to the value of $3,000 for up to 500 local businesses to help with travel costs to participate in trade delegations and other market access opportunities.

 Who fits the bill as a business-focussed Governor? Add your comment below.

 

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