Jobs Growth Forecast

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:28): Supplementary to the Treasurer: how can the Treasurer claim that the jobs growth forecast is in fact conservative when this government has provided to the house several separate forecasts for the next financial year, ranging in value from 1.75 per cent down to the latest growth rate at 1 per cent? How can the Treasurer say that his modelling and his forecasts are indeed conservative when he had to revise down his own jobs forecast for this current financial year twice during that year when it was in progress?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister for Small Business) (14:29): The reality is that if the Leader of the Opposition does not want to believe me about our conservatism, if he does not want to believe the Department of Treasury and Finance or the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, perhaps he will believe Kate Carnell, the Chief Executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Cutting stamp duty will boost growth and jobs at a time when South Australia's economy is going through a period of transition…This significant step may have a short-term impact on the budget bottom line but will have long-term benefits for South Australians. We applaud the government for having the foresight to take this bold initiative to invest in growth.

Kate Carnell, former Liberal minister, and now Chief Executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry—hardly a hotbed of socialist activity. She went on to say that today's budget, speaking of last Thursday:

…will help the state get back on its feet. Other states should consider following South Australia's lead and free up their own economies from the constraints of stamp duty, which increases transaction costs and lowers transaction volumes...The South Australian Government should be commended for listening to these arguments and taking action.

The CPA of Australia, the Managing Chief Executive, Mr Alex Malley, said the South Australian government is to be congratulated:

…for getting on with the job of reforming the state's economy and reducing impediments to business restructuring.

None of these tax changes were ever proposed by the Leader of the Opposition, not once. Not once has the Leader of the Opposition ever come into this place and said, 'Get rid of transactional taxes.' Not once.

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer should bear in mind that there are now children in high school who have never experienced a state Liberal government and, therefore, it is irrelevant to the question for the Treasurer to canvass the merits or otherwise of former governments, and I asked him not to do so. Does the Treasurer have anything further to say?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: There are so many more endorsements, sir. The Shopping Centre Council of Australia said:

The tax reform plan announced in the budget has the real potential to boost confidence and attract new investment and new jobs to South Australia.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: They don't believe us, Mr Speaker. There you go. There is the interjection. They do not believe us, they don't believe the reforms work, and yet they ask us to bring the reforms forward. Which one is it?

Mr GARDNER: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: What is the point of order?

Mr GARDNER: Both debate and also defying your other rulings.

The SPEAKER: Well, I don't uphold it because the member for Mount Gambier, as he acknowledges, taunted the Treasurer.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: He congratulated us on playing an important role and understanding the important role that commercial property plays as a job creator and an economic stimulator. The South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy, Mr Jason Kuchel, the Chief Executive, went on to say:

The combined effect of the stamp duty and payroll tax concessions, and investment to unlock our copper wealth, will lift the cash burden for many companies operating in the mining and energy industry and increase investor confidence that South Australia is open for business and supportive of resources development.

The Australian Industry Group's Director Stephen Myatt said:

The state government is to be congratulated for placing business and industry at the centre of its budget announcements...Many of our members in manufacturing and related industries are doing it tough and the stamp duty concessions and one year payroll tax rebate extension for some small companies will be welcome and helpful…In particular with the restructuring of the automotive industry supply chain—

Now, why is that occurring? Do you remember why that is occurring? Because the commonwealth government are not investing.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: That's right. This is the same Liberal leader who agrees. The commonwealth government has no role in running the country. He is just the Prime Minister. What would he know about South Australia? He went on to say:

In particular with the restructure of the automotive industry supply chain, the Government's announcements in relation to stamp duty—

Mr WILLIAMS: Point of order, Mr Speaker: the minister has run out of time, thank God.

The SPEAKER: I uphold the member for MacKillop's point of order and, before we move to the next question, I call to order the member for Newland. I warn for the first time the members for Stuart and Mount Gambier, I warn for the second and final time the leader and the member for Hartley. Leader?