Employment Figures

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:33): How many jobs have been created since this government's promise to create 100,000 new jobs was made?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:33): Every time we invest in infrastructure to build our economy and create jobs the Leader of the Opposition says it's a false economy. When we decided to build Adelaide Oval, members opposite, including one of the newer shadow ministers, did all they could to stop it—indeed, you even encouraged SACA members—

The SPEAKER: No, I don't have any shadow ministers.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Sorry, sir?

The SPEAKER: I don't have any shadow ministers.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: No, but you probably should, sir. You would probably be more organised and more effective. Shadow ministers were actively campaigning against the construction of a brand-new—

Mr PISONI: Point of order, sir: the minister is clearly debating.

The SPEAKER: Well, I will decide whether he is debating or not. I will listen to what the Treasurer has to say.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I just heard the member for Adelaide interject that they were going to build a whole stadium. Perhaps she is saying she wanted us to build the northern grandstand as well after campaigning against it. Perhaps we could have a clearer set of messages, because every day the football is on I see Liberal members crossing the footbridge they didn't want built into a stadium they didn't want, accepting corporate hospitality from companies that they go out and campaign against.

Members interjecting:

Mr GARDNER: It grieves me to have to interrupt the minister's speech, but he is a long, long way from the answer in any form of relevance, 98 and anything else you like.

The SPEAKER: Yes, I uphold the point of order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Thank you very much, sir, for your ruling. The reality is, every time the government invests in infrastructure that creates jobs, members opposite say it's a false economy and we are spending money that we do not have. They say that politicians shouldn't enter the debate about infrastructure and propose to have an independent body do that and, at the same time, announce their own infrastructure programs. The reality is, no matter what it is that this government does to create jobs, members opposite will say the opposite.

Mr Marshall: You haven't created any—that's the simple fact of the matter. You haven't created any.

The SPEAKER: The leader is called to order. Before we hear the member for Unley's point of order, in that pause, I will call to order the members for Mitchell and Hartley and warn the member for Heysen a first time. Member for Unley.

Mr PISONI: Clearly it's debate, sir, and he is drifting away from the fact that there are 800 fewer South Australian jobs since that promise was made.

The SPEAKER: I think it would be better if the member for Unley simply said that the point of order is that it's debate rather than adjudicate his own point of order. I uphold the point of order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: The government will lay out a clear plan in the budget on Thursday—a clear plan of a path to prosperity. It will involve a whole series of things. It will involve investing in infrastructure. It will involve investing in our resources sector. I know members opposite hate the idea of investing in our resources sector because they are anti-mining, anti-gas, pro-lock the gate—almost a tinge of green, opposite—

Members interjecting:

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order—

The SPEAKER: I know that last remark was too much for the member for Stuart.

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: It was. I have been as patient as I can, sir. He is debating and ignoring your last two rulings.

The SPEAKER: Yes, I think—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Excuse me, Treasurer; would you be seated. I warn the member for Hartley for the first time, and I call the member for Hammond—wherever he is—to order, because I know that voice. I call the member for Morialta to order, and warn the member for Heysen for the second and final time.

An honourable member: Kavel, sir?

The SPEAKER: No, Kavel is the innocent blood. Could the Treasurer perhaps come back to the substance of the question?

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I notice the moderates are in fine voice today, but the conservatives are a bit quiet. Why is that? Perhaps because you got rolled comprehensively in the reshuffle.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Too soon? Too raw?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Clearly, the Treasurer—

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Sorry, sir. I will get back to the substance of the question.

The SPEAKER: No, no, the Treasurer's answer is now at an end, having misused the answer. Leader.