Question Time

Job Creation

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:09): My question is to the Premier. Does the figure announced by the Premier today of 6,000 new jobs in exports over the next three years include the 5,000 jobs in mining announced by the Premier last week?

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Minister for Investment and Trade, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:10): First of all, the opposition leader is not quite correct in his assertion that the government has said there will be 6,000 jobs from exports: it was 6,000 jobs from investment and FDI, not exports. It is an ambitious figure but, based on our performance to date with attracting investment, we think we can do it within three years.

We will come in with that information. We will table that information. We will be held to account for that information. But I will say this: one way not to create jobs in foreign direct investment is not to have a mining policy. One way not to create jobs from foreign direct investment is to say no to energy investment by having a moratorium on unconventional gas. One way not to attract jobs in defence is to propose building submarines in somebody else's country, not ours. If the opposition has a better idea, we would like to hear it.

Ms CHAPMAN: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: Deputy leader.

Ms CHAPMAN: I thank you for giving me the call on the point of order, sir, but it is far too late: he has already screeched on with his debate.

The SPEAKER: What was the point of order?

Ms CHAPMAN: It was relevance to the question of whether the 6,000 jobs announced today or last week were in addition to the 5,000 last week—and we still didn't have an answer.

The SPEAKER: That, of course, is a bogus point of order. I call the Treasurer to order for beating his desk top, a matter for which I named the member for Adelaide before the last election.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir: I understand it is common practice in the House of Commons to applaud by tapping the table, but if it is not, sir, I accept your ruling.

The SPEAKER: I will have the Acting Clerk investigate the matter; meanwhile, the call to order stands.