Recent Australian Bureau of Statistics figures indicate Western Australia has recorded the biggest trade surplus of any Australian state over the year to April 2006.
WA’s trade surplus surged to $28 billion during the 12-month period, representing an 18 per cent increase on the $23.7 billon surplus a year earlier.
Nationally, the trade deficit was $15.2 billion, with NSW recording a trade deficit of $37.3 billion and Victoria a trade deficit of $29.5 billion.
Treasurer Eric Ripper said the figures highlighted the continued strength of WA’s economy.
“In annual average terms, the nominal value of WA exports rose by 23.2 per cent over the year to April 2006, to a record $45.8 billion,” he said. “In fact, WA now accounts for 31 per cent of total national exports.”
International Trade figures for the month of April revealed the national balance on goods and services, seasonally adjusted, was a deficit of just more than $1 billion, a decrease of $416 million on the revised deficit in March.
Trade Minister Mark Vaile said resource exports rose 5 per cent to $5.6 billion after a return of activity in WA, which had been affected by cyclones during March.
Exports of LNG and petroleum products rose 15 per cent, while metals and minerals were up 6 per cent.
“This was the second highest level ever for monthly exports reflecting the growth in the resources, manufacturing and services exports and continues our recent strong export performance,” Mr Vaile said.
Rural goods exports, seasonally adjusted, fell $51 million (2 per cent) to $2.2 billion, while exports of non-rural goods, seasonally adjusted, rose $340 million (4 per cent) to just over $10 billion.
Exports of other goods, seasonally adjusted, rose $456 million (51 per cent) to $1.3 billion.
