YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (14:42): My question is again to the Minister for Employment. What is the minister's explanation as to why the northern Adelaide region has the second highest youth unemployment rate of all 78 Australian regions?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:42): Can I just ask the member to repeat the question; do you mind?

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: What is the minister's explanation as to why the northern Adelaide region has the second highest youth unemployment rate of all 78 Australian regions?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: All of us in this place—certainly on this side—want all young people in South Australia—and I have talked about skills and I have talked about education and training—to be supported to follow their chosen career pathway and find gainful, meaningful employment. It is important to keep some factors in mind in relation to these matters. It is important to remember that we know that most young people are not looking for full-time work. The figures that the opposition likes to quote do not say anything about young people who are already either working full-time, studying full-time or participating in a combination of part-time work and part-time study. In terms of the figures that have come out today—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Is the member for Goyder talking to himself or interjecting? You're interjecting. Okay, well, I call the member for Goyder to order. Minister for Transport.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: In terms of the figures that were released today, I can report that the youth full-time unemployment to population ratio has not changed dramatically. In September 2012 we were looking at 6 per cent and in September 2013 we are looking at 7 per cent in northern Adelaide, with the total balance in South Australia of 5.3 per cent, going down to 3.2 per cent. So, I would ask the opposition to work with us when it comes to not talking down our region and when it comes to supporting our young people, firstly, to access education and training and then find gainful employment.

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Heysen has interjected almost continually; I warn her for the first time. And I treated the member for Unley harshly: he should have been called to order rather than warned a first time. The deputy leader.