Employment Figures

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:27): Given the collapse in—

The SPEAKER: Is this a separate question or a—

Mr MARSHALL: It can be however you wish to take it, sir. I am in your hands, figuratively speaking. Given the collapse in business confidence in the latest surveys from both the National Australia Bank and Business SA, is the Premier concerned that the economic forecasts used in this year's state budget will still be achieved?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:27): Let's just have a look at the factual basis underpinning that question. The NAB quarterly business survey, released on 24 July, said that business confidence rose in South Australia in the June quarter 2015, up seven index points to plus four. South Australia had the equal highest improvement in confidence with New South Wales in the quarter.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: So, the proposition on which this question is based is simply false, and I invite the Leader of the Opposition to perhaps undertake a little more research before he comes into this house making false assertions as the basis for his question. The truth is that it depends who you ask. These surveys are conducted across a range of different business groups: different surveys produce different results.

But I don't seek to hide from the fact that there has been a massive hit to confidence associated with shocks to the South Australian economy—of course there are. Anybody who has eyes and ears would be aware that there are challenges to the South Australian economy. What I have been heartened by is not that people's confidence hasn't been shaken, it's that people are defiant in the face of that and want to actually work together to make the changes necessary to succeed in this state. That is what I have been heartened by.

Of course people know that there are challenges in the South Australian economy, but they also love this state, they want to work together to make sure it is successful and prosperous in the future, and we simply invite those opposite to join with us in that endeavour.

The SPEAKER: I call to order the Minister for Health, the member for Newland, the Treasurer and the member for Mitchell.