STATE ECONOMY

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (14:32): A supplementary, sir.

The SPEAKER: A supplementary—leader.

Mr MARSHALL: Can the Premier confirm or report to the house the number of jobs that have been lost in South Australia in the last four months?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:32): In trend terms, our economy continues to grow and jobs continue to grow, so no jobs have been lost. We continue to grow. The state continues to grow in terms of its employment growth. Those opposite continue to talk down the South Australian economy in a way which is not reflected in any of the economic statistics which are being presented. I know that they search hard for every shred of data that points—

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order, sir.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —in another direction, but they are proven—

The SPEAKER: Premier—

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —wrong by the published data.

The SPEAKER: Premier, there is a point of order from the member for Stuart.

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: The Premier was clearly asked how many jobs have been lost and is now debating.

The SPEAKER: That is a bogus point of order, and I call the member for Stuart to order. Premier, are you finished?

Members interjecting:

Mr MARSHALL: Further supplementary, sir.

The SPEAKER: Before the supplementary, arising out of the contretemps while that question was being answered, I call the members for Morialta, Finniss and Heysen to order and I warn the member for Kavel for the first time.