Question Time

Unemployment Figures

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:16): My question is to the Premier. Considering that all states and territories in Australia operate under the same commodity prices, the same shift away from traditional manufacturing and the same economic conditions as our state, why do we currently have the highest unemployment rate in the nation?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:16): Yes, I noticed this inaccuracy that, sadly, was perpetrated by the shadow minister for industry, who I regard as, generally speaking, a straight shooter. He said these things:

Seems like every week we're losing more jobs in the resources sector. What's also very unfortunate is that the Government keeps blaming it on international prices. The reality is it's not happening in other states, it is happening in South Australia.

The truth is it is happening all across the nation. These changes are occurring all across the nation and we are not immune from them. To give you some example—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Well, this is the inaccurate material which was placed on public radio this morning and it needs to be corrected. Santos did, of course, announce 200 job losses yesterday, which will occur over the next few months, but they have also announced 315 Queensland job losses. Origin, also an industry in the gas sector, has announced 800 job losses across the Eastern States. Chevron has announced 400 job losses in Western Australia. We have also seen—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Wait a moment. It's very important that there is accurate information on the public record. Arrium has recently announced a $100 million cost-saving exercise, which will no doubt have some associated job losses with it, but last week BlueScope Steel announced 500 job losses from their Port Kembla facility as part of a $200 million cost-saving exercise. Alinta, of course, has announced 450 job losses in the coal-fired power station and the coalmine.

But we also know that very recently, in the Illawarra, Wollongong's Russell Vale colliery closed with the loss of about 80 jobs. Victoria's Anglesea brown coal-fired power station, which is the same type of coal we are talking about at Leigh Creek, closed earlier this year, with 83 jobs lost in the power station and associated mine. It is expected, across the New South Wales Hunter Valley, that many thousands of jobs have been lost over the last few years.

It is simply inaccurate to say that the South Australian resources sector is in a different position from the picture across the nation, but it is true that we have a perfect storm here. Sadly, due to the decisions that were taken to close the car industry, we are seeing a dramatic fall in employment in the manufacturing sector. That, together with the falling commodity prices, has combined to create a perfect storm. There is no doubt that this state's economy is very currency rate sensitive. We had a sustained period, almost two years, of the Australian dollar at parity and that had a particular effect on the South Australian economy.

The question isn't describing the problem: the question is coming up with solutions. We have a 10-point economic plan for South Australia's future and those opposite should join us in promoting confidence in that economic plan and the future of our state.

The SPEAKER: Before the leader asks his question, I call to order the leader, the deputy leader, the members for Morialta, Finniss, Mitchell, Hartley, Schubert, Mount Gambier, Morphett and Kavel. I warn for the first time the leader and deputy leader and the members for Morialta, Finniss, Hartley and Schubert. Through to the semi-finals are the member for Morialta, the deputy leader and the members for Hartley and Finniss, who are warned for the second and final time. Leader.