Employment Figures

Mr WILLIAMS (MacKillop) (14:19): Premier, do you realise that the average duration for people looking for work in the South-East is over 147 weeks?

Ms Sanderson: Wow!

Mr WILLIAMS: That means that this problem has been going on for at least three years.

The SPEAKER: The member for Adelaide is called to order for being 'wowed'. The Premier.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:19): Of course, at the level of the individual, it is always a personal tragedy for somebody who is seeking to find a job and is unable to find one. The longer that goes on, the more distressing that is. Behind these statistics, of course, each of them is a personal story, and that is what motivates us to try to make the changes necessary. It is important to draw attention to the personal tragedies that each episode of unemployment represents, but really, that is not sufficient. What also needs to be added to the discussion is, 'What are you going to do about it?'

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I am happy to continue my answer. I was only about halfway through our rather substantial agenda for trying to address this issue, but we are all ears for any positive ideas that might emerge from those opposite or cooperation with some of the ideas that we have been promoting. Of course, I accept what the member for MacKillop raises as a very substantial problem with people who are long-term unemployed. This is not solely confined to his region of South Australia, but of course wherever it exists it requires our attention.

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader and the member for Adelaide are warned and the member for Chaffey is warned for the second and final time. The member for MacKillop.