JOBS GROWTH FORECAST

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (15:13): Following on from the previous set of questions, sir, my question is to the Premier. Why has the training and apprenticeships services in the DFEEST budget been underspent by $1.5 million when there is a backlog of over 2,500 apprenticeships awaiting registration in South Australia?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (15:14): This is what happens: when you delve a little deeper and you actually find out what the Leader of the Opposition has done, it reveals the very point I was making—a shred of data out of context to create a false impression about the South Australian economy.

As identified in the NCVER, changes to incentives payments made by the commonwealth government have impacted on the number of apprentices and trainees right across the country. For instance, Victoria recorded a 29.4 per cent drop in the number of apprenticeships and traineeships in training this year. Nationally, the fall was 20.6 per cent, while in South Australia we recorded a 6.1 per cent fall, the lowest fall in numbers across the country.

So, in spite of the federal government we are outperforming in the nation. Once again: a shred of data, doesn't do the work, wants to create a false impression about the South Australian economy, and has been caught out getting it wrong again. One of the first responsibilities of leadership is to actually talk this place up, not talk it down.

Ms CHAPMAN: How long do we have to put up with this? It's a simple question.

The SPEAKER: How long we have to put up with this is not a point of order. The deputy leader is warned a first time and will be seated forthwith. Is the Premier finished? The leader.

Members interjecting: