South Australian Economy

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland) (14:12): My question is to the Treasurer. Can the Treasurer outline to the house recent trends in economic indicators?

The SPEAKER: Effendi, Treasurer.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (14:12): Thank you, sir. I thank the honourable member for this important question because what this state needs more than ever is for the nay-sayers to take a seat and for us to start talking South Australia up.

South Australia's economy is facing unprecedented challenges and headwinds as a result of the global decline in mineral commodity prices, gaps in naval shipbuilding and the closure of the Australian car manufacturing industry. Despite these challenges, there are a number of positive signs. Yesterday, the release of retail figures saw South Australian retail turnover rise by 0.3 per cent in May; it is now 3.6 per cent higher than a year earlier. These figures are above the national trend. Our unemployment rate is—

Mr WILLIAMS: Point of order: given what you just said to the house a few moments ago, sir, about the inheritance of standing orders from our mother house, the House of Commons, I believe the House of Commons doesn't allow ministers to read answers.

The SPEAKER: Clearly, the member for MacKillop's point of order is questioning—

Mr Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: No, quite the contrary. It is questioning my previous ruling, and I will reiterate for the benefit of the house. Standing order No. 1 is:

In all cases that are not provided for in these Standing Orders or by sessional or other orders, or by the practice of the House, the rules, forms and practice of the Commons House at Westminster are followed as far as they can be applied to the proceedings of this House.

The member for MacKillop relies on that. My advice is that this house has allowed reference to notes, both in ministers answering questions and in members making speeches. If the member for MacKillop wants the proceedings of the house to be entirely extempore, I am willing to apply that. I am willing to bring it on, but when I was a minister I seem to recall the member for MacKillop stumbling when reading out a question to me. Physician, heal thyself. Leader.

Mr MARSHALL: My question is to the Minister for Health. Can the Minister for Health—

The SPEAKER: I'm sorry, I erred. The Treasurer hadn't finished.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Bad weekend? Bit of a hangover?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Are you all going to start wearing orange ties? Mr Speaker—

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer is called to order. He will not respond to interjections.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Our unemployment rate is unacceptably high, but our nation-leading tax reform package that saw our state abolish a range of business stamp duties, returning $670 million to businesses and families, makes South Australia one of the most attractive places in the country to do business. Our WorkCover reforms delivered $180 million worth of annual savings. These measures have contributed to the creation of nearly 6,000 new jobs in the past 12 months. That is why KPMG, in the Competitive Alternatives report, has ranked Adelaide as the most cost-competitive city to do business within Australia, ahead of Melbourne, ahead of Sydney and ahead of Brisbane.

There are green shoots. State final demand rose by 0.3 per cent in the March quarter in 2016, in trend terms higher than the national equivalent. Housing is up: the total trend number of dwelling approvals rose by 1.9 per cent in May in South Australia and was 23 per cent higher than a year earlier. The trend estimate for the number of private sector houses has risen for 10 consecutive months, to be 13 per cent higher than a year ago.

Overseas goods exports are up. South Australia's overseas goods for the year to May 2016 totalled $11.5 billion, up 0.7 per cent compared with the year to May 2015. International tourism is up, thanks to the good work of the Minister for Tourism and, of course, our visitor economy. There was a 7.6 per cent rise in the number of international tourists, making our international visitor expenditure during this period 38 per cent higher than a year earlier.

For each and every year, this government has seen positive economic growth. The government recognises the gains we have made, but also we understand that more needs to be done. Given the recent federal election, I encourage the younger members of the Liberal Party to take back their party from the karaoke-singing compost king—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer will be seated.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —who prefers to go out with the Greens—

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer will be seated.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer is called to order and he is warned for defiance of the Chair and for debating an answer.

Mr Gardner: And then he defied you further, sir.

Mr Marshall: And he was already called to order before he was called to order.

Mr Gardner: That counts for three.

The SPEAKER: It's been going on for 25 years. I call to order the members for Newland, Davenport, Hartley, Finniss, Chaffey and the deputy leader. I warn for the first time—

The Hon. T.R. Kenyon: Thank you, sir.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Newland. I am pleased to do it. I warn the members for Morialta and Hartley, and I warn for the second and final time the member for Morialta, who wouldn't want to get a pair this week, in the cricketing sense.