Question Time

Employment Figures

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:28): My question is to the Treasurer. Does the Treasurer stand by his government's promise to create 100,000 new jobs between 2010 and 2016?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:28): We will do everything we can to create jobs in our economy. We are a government that is pro jobs. We are a government that does everything we can to create and stimulate investment in our economy. Whether it be in our resources sector, whether it be in infrastructure, whether it be in manufacturing, we are committed to it.

Unfortunately, I notice that the opposition are delving into matters of trying to stymie an industry that is growing and creating jobs, and that is our unconventional gas sector. The Leader of the Opposition is quoted on the front page—

Ms CHAPMAN: Point of order.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Oh, don't want the bad news?

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer is called to order. The deputy leader.

Ms CHAPMAN: I think it is clear, Mr Speaker, that the minister is delving into debate about an issue in relation to unconventional gas and what the opposition's view is on it—nothing to do with the commitment of the government's 100,000 jobs.

The SPEAKER: Well, unconventional gas, I imagine, is an employment-rich area of our economy. On the other hand, the Treasurer is not responsible to the house for the opposition's policy.

Ms Redmond interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, and before the member for Heysen condemns me as being corrupt or something, let me finish the answer first; just calm down. I find it interesting on one hand that the Leader of the Opposition says, 'Create jobs', and then when he goes out to the regions he says, 'We'll do everything we can to stop jobs being created.' They create a barrier to having private companies invest in unconventional gas.

The SPEAKER: Point of order.

Mr PISONI: It is very clear the Treasurer is entering debate.

The SPEAKER: I will listen carefully to what the Treasurer has to say.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: You are just a small-minded individual, aren't you? Whether it's women or ethnics, you just cannot help yourself.

Ms CHAPMAN: Point of order: this is completely unacceptable behaviour.

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer's answer is finished. The leader.