BUDGET FORECAST

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (14:21): Why does the Premier's budget forecast payroll tax revenue growth of 7 per cent a year over the forward estimates, given that jobs growth will average just 1.25 per cent a year?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:22): Because there is not a direct correlation between the way in which—

Mr Marshall: Between employment and payroll?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Well, there are thresholds that of course are not indexed, so a number of people actually find themselves in different categories; that is the way in which those particular revenues are actually enjoyed across the forward estimates. The rate of growth of particular enterprises of a certain size then sounds in a particular revenue impact. But, once again, you will see how we make estimates across the forward estimates as we publish our budget papers.