Employment Figures

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:15): My supplementary to the Premier is: if these initiatives and actions are so successful, why has youth unemployment gone up to 21.9 per cent?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:15): One of the reasons why youth unemployment is so high is that there is a very small proportion of the population that now fit into that cohort. Increasingly, that statistic is becoming more and more meaningless, because the number of young people who are actually in that cohort has reduced very substantially because most of them are at school or at university or in some form of other training or education. Increasingly, that statistic is small. The absolute numbers of young people in that category is actually quite small, and you'll find it has not comparatively changed very much in recent years. So, it is a statistic I know those opposite do hang on to because it sounds dramatic, but because the size of the workforce in that area has shrunk so dramatically it is a relatively small base.

That is the first thing to say about that statistic. But, look, Mr Speaker, I have not sought to hide from the fact there are massive challenges in front of South Australia. The question is not the size of the challenge, as those opposite are fond of repeating: it's the measures that are actually directed at meeting that challenge. If those opposite could offer something other than empty criticism and tired old lines and something of a positive agenda for South Australia, maybe more people would be attracted to their cause.

We are trying to advance positive ideas for the future of South Australia. We are doing that in a way which does create from time to time some upset, because change is difficult and it upsets the existing order. I know those opposite like the way things are; they like the existing order and they don't like upsetting vested interests. But we are prepared to make change in the public interest, to argue our case, but at the moment it's one hand clapping; there's nothing on the other side. There's nothing to press up against because there really is—how was it described? They are not my words. 'They are the most unsuccessful Liberal or Labor party around the country over the past 40 years.' These aren't my—

Ms CHAPMAN: Point of order: the Premier has defied your order.

The SPEAKER: The point of order is?

Ms CHAPMAN: For the fifth time the Premier has defied your order.

The SPEAKER: Yes; the point of order is?

Ms CHAPMAN: Relevance.

The SPEAKER: Relevance?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I'm sorry, sir, I thought she was going to ask me to table the document. I'm happy to—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: No; the answer is, alas, not germane to the question. The question was not about the merits of the opposition. In that pause, I'll call the deputy leader to order and warn for the first time the members for Schubert, Morialta, Stuart, who continues to interject out of his seat, and the member for Chaffey. The member for MacKillop.

Mr WILLIAMS: Could I have a supplementary question?

The SPEAKER: Supplementary question, member for MacKillop.