Ministerial Statement

STATE STRATEGIC PLAN

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:06): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: This evening will see the official launch of the second report of the Independent Expert Audit Committee, which tracks the state's progress against the ambitious targets of South Australia's Strategic Plan. This plan is for all South Australians, not just government, and South Australians from all over the state have embraced the plan. They have wanted to have their say on how the plan could be improved, and their support and efforts have been vital in achieving the plan's many successes. This is a plan for and by South Australians. When the plan was first released in 2004—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: I'll tell you what: a lot more South Australians know about the plan than know about you. Okay. I still predict—I've seen what is going on—that you will be moving up a bit along the front row. When the plan was first released in 2004, I pledged that every two years South Australia's performance would be measured objectively by an independent group of experts and that their findings would be released publicly for all to see.

This evening we will deliver on that promise for the second time. I can inform the house that South Australia is tracking well against the 98 targets of the plan, with the latest report card showing 68 targets as either 'achieved', 'on track' or 'within reach'. More than 50 per cent are showing positive progress, and a further 20 per cent are maintaining our position with a steady performance. I point out that 'steady performance' can actually mean excellent performance, such as the fact that the state has maintained the highest possible AAA credit rating, for which this Treasurer will never apologise: he went out there, got the credit rating back and then kept it. Adelaide has remained the most cost competitive place in Australia in which to set up and do business. I am delighted to say that these results show an improvement in the state's position and performance compared with the first report released in 2006.

The independent Audit Committee's first two-yearly report showed that after just two years South Australia had achieved or was on track to achieve over 50 per cent of the targets. That was a fantastic result, but we did not rest on our laurels. Instead, we revised the plan, increasing the number of targets from 84 in the first version of South Australia's Strategic Plan to 98 in the present plan, introducing new targets, replacing others and sharpening the focus of some others. The plan was also updated because in some areas the state had already achieved the original target, and we needed to go on to address new and greater challenges.

Yesterday, the opposition was again talking down the state economy, even though we have the best economy in decades and even though since 2002—wait for it; this is about what is really serious for the people of this state—breaking news: we have been creating jobs at more than twice the rate under the previous Liberal government, and the latest figures show we have been creating full-time jobs more than 20 times faster than when you were in office.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: So, Mr Speaker, they have just admitted that they did not do it. We are creating full-time jobs 20 times faster than under the Liberals. Here are some of the highlights of the new results as they relate to the economy. South Australia has smashed its mineral targets. Do you remember when we announced in the Strategic Plan that we were going to triple the rate of exploration that people said we were dreaming? People said that we did not have a chance. Well, mineral exploration is more than three times our annual target of $100 million. Mineral production is also on track to meet the targeted $3 billion per annum by 2014, having already reached $2.5 billion in the 2006-07 year.

The state has already exceeded its minerals processing target, reaching $1.15 billion in the 2006-07 year—six years ahead of schedule. When we set these mining targets critics said they were unachievable. There has been a tenfold increase in mining exploration in this state. Just look at the difference a change in government made six years ago. South Australia is also on track to exceed Australia's ratio of business investment as a percentage of the economy by 2014. South Australia is on track to better Australia's employment growth rate by 2014. Our defence sector is booming, with increased employment of 10.5 per cent in 2007, and the state is on track to reach our new target of 28,000 defence jobs by 2013, up from 16,000.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: She says the defence jobs are moving to Queensland. Well, figures do not stack up in terms of what the Liberals are saying. We are on track to reach 28,000 defence jobs by 2013, up from 16,000.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: I have as long as you want. If you want to keep interjecting I can go on into infinity. Our population is moving in a positive direction and tracking well above the rate of growth required to reach our target of two million South Australians by 2050. The target—again, people thought it was unrealistic—was two million South Australians by 2050. I believe we will reach that target 20 years ahead of schedule.

But the plan is not just about patting ourselves on the back; it is a goad to action, a rod to our back, a guide to where we need to do better. South Australia still has challenges in meeting our goals in a range of areas, including interstate migration and achieving healthy weight for our population. I want to congratulate the Minister for Transport on that score, and also the Treasurer. South Australia still has challenges in meeting its goals in a range of areas, including interstate migration, achieving healthy weight for our population and managing chronic disease, while meeting our extremely ambitious export target, which is predominantly a challenge for our private sector.

Incidentally, a household survey was conducted of more than 6,000 South Australian adults to provide an information base for parts of the plan. I am delighted to say that the survey found that 86 per cent were found to be 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with the government services they received. I was also pleased with other results from the survey, including that nearly 90 per cent of those surveyed believed cultural diversity has a positive influence in the community and that 72 per cent of people undertake formal or informal volunteer work in their communities.

The proof of the progress is clear: from crime reduction to reducing the incidence of smoking amongst young people, to helping to save the River Murray, to improving life expectancy and Aboriginal healthy life expectancy and improving public transport usage, to name a few. We are backing our public transport targets by spending $2 billion on infrastructure in that area. The proof is also that having a plan for the longer term, instead of just the latest media grabs from the opposition, is what delivers real results for South Australia. I want to thank the independent Audit Committee chaired by Bill Cossey for its outstanding and objective work, as well as the excellent community consultation work led by Peter Blacker and the Community Engagement Board.