STATE ECONOMY

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (14:07): I would like to ask, sir: does the Premier accept that high state taxes inhibit business from prospering here in South Australia?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:07): KPMG tells us that, of the four cities that have been analysed across Australia, we have the lowest business costs in the nation of those four cities.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: So, when all of the business costs are taken into account, we have the lowest costs of doing business in the nation. I know those opposite do not like to hear that. I know that they seek to cast doubt on the credibility of KPMG as an organisation that can put together data which is reliable and which can be relied upon by the community, but why don't you just take that data as read and actually promote it? Why don't you actually promote the fact that we are a great place to do business?

The SPEAKER: Premier, it is not my function to promote the state. I think the Premier is—

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I'm sorry, sir.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Has the Premier finished? Before we go to the supplementary, I call the member for Adelaide to order, I warn the member for Heysen for the second time, I warn the member for Stuart for the first time and I call the member for Hammond to order.