Merchandise Exports

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:27): Supplementary arising from the answer: the minister used a figure of 8.9 per cent. Can the minister inform the chamber: is that a figure based on a yearly measure and, if so, is it year to date or is it a comparison for a snapshot from some point a year ago?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade and Investment) (14:27): From my understanding of the information I have, it's a decrease of 8.9 per cent compared to the year to the end of January 2019, so it's January 2020 compared to January 2019. That's my advice.