who here thinks firb will approve the deal??, page-15

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TODAY opens a new chapter for the state's economy.

The approval for iron miner Centrex to export ore through Port Lincoln is a milestone for a group of small mining companies which have proven deposits but no market route for their ore. The approval will allow Centrex to generate revenue to advance its other projects and create momentum for fellow miners looking for export points further up the Eyre Peninsula coast.

Today is also the launch by The Advertiser of SA Business Monthly, a publication which will take reporting on the business sector to a new level. SA Business Monthly aims to challenge both corporate leaders and the broader community to debate the issues affecting the state's economy. SA has undergone extraordinary transformation over the past few years and SA Business Monthly will examine what these changes mean.

Today's Port Lincoln decision is indicative of part of this transformation. It shows the growing strength of the mining and energy industry as a key driver for the economy. As well as delivering royalties and taxes for state coffers, the industry is creating hundreds of new jobs and creating demand for support services.

Importantly, much of the benefit is being felt by regional areas with country people gaining decently paid jobs, finding demand for services from catering to road building and having housing prices grow.

SA's economy has become more diverse with mining and defence making the state more resilient in the face of global forces such as the credit crisis. The Port Lincoln decision acknowledges these new pillars of the economy must be allowed to co-exist with established industries.

The Eyre Peninsula has justifiably earned a worldwide reputation as a source of clean, green food production. This reputation must be maintained – and can be maintained despite concerns in the aquaculture industry over iron ore.

The days of red dust contaminating a town, as happened in Whyalla, are no longer acceptable. The clean-up efforts of OneSteel in Whyalla show technology can solve these problems. Similar innovative technology will be applied by Centrex at Port Lincoln, technology which will put SA ahead of the curve in environmental management.

These are the type of advances creating the new SA economy – and which will be explored by SA Business Monthly.

Time to lure the best minds

SOUTH Australia is doing some amazing things. As a state we are nationally and internationally respected for some of the research happening here.

SA researchers have pioneered mind reading, which sounds like science fiction but is underpinned by some serious science. There are other areas of health research, just as important, where SA is leading the way.

The State Government hopes that the new Health and Medical Research Institute, part of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, will become a hub for medical research.

This is where the hard work starts. We need to convince the world's top scientists to do their work in Adelaide.

Right now the search is on around the world for a director for the institute.

If the Government succeeds in enticing the right person - and people - to work, live and stay in SA, bringing their grant money with them, we really will start punching above our weight.