Job Accelerator Grant Scheme

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland) (15:01): My question is to the Treasurer. Can the Treasurer update the house on the Job Accelerator Grant Scheme?

Mr Bell: Are you going to talk about the unemployment rate at the same time?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for State Development, Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy) (15:01): Well, ask me a question. Get on the list and ask me a question. This side of the house understands that small to medium-sized enterprises are the lifeblood of this state, that our state's prosperity grows with their prosperity and success, and that's why every one of this government's economic policies is tailored to ensure that these businesses thrive and South Australia becomes the best place in Australia to do business.

Despite the unprecedented challenges we face with the closure of the Australian car manufacturing industry—courtesy of our commonwealth government—and the global decline in mineral commodity prices, I can inform the house that, as of yesterday, 3,838 businesses had registered for a total of 9,932 positions since our $109 million Job Accelerator Grant program for businesses to employ additional staff was announced. We have added 6,900 jobs in the past 12 months to May 2017.

Businesses in this state are growing and are hiring, and with grants up to $10,000 for each and every job created for eligible businesses with taxable payrolls of $5 million or less, and up to $4,000 for each and every job created by small businesses and start-ups and other employers not liable for payroll tax, we are making things just that little bit easier.

The business community understands that the 2015-16 budget was about cutting taxes so that their businesses are free to invest and grow. They have seen this government deliver the most comprehensive tax package reform in our state's history, which sees us abolishing business stamp duties, returning about $700 million to businesses and families—tax cuts, which we all know that the Leader of the Opposition opposed, saying they would not create a single job and then called on us to bring them forward.

The 2016-17 budget has jobs as its number one priority, and these grants provide a great incentive to encourage small to medium businesses to employ and to unlock more money for them to invest in their businesses. Small to medium businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we want to reward these businesses that are now seeking to grow and help them to grow faster. These grants, which I note that the opposition had a position paper leaked to the media from their shadow cabinet—

Mr GARDNER: Point of order, sir, standing order 98: the minister was asked about his own policy, and he is now commenting on the opposition's apparent position in the media.

The Hon. J.M. Rankine interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Wright is warned. Treasurer.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: It is interesting to note that, even though they were developing a similar policy, the Leader of the Opposition criticises it, saying that it wouldn't work. Can you imagine the internal processes, Mr Speaker? The member for Hartley leaked, or someone had leaked from him, a proposal he had for a similar proposal like this, and then the Leader of the Opposition says—

The SPEAKER: Treasurer, you cannot impute improper behaviour to other members except by dint of a substantive motion. So the allegation that the member for Hartley leaked something is imputing improper behaviour without a substantive motion.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I apologise to the member for Hartley, but it's interesting to note that this policy that was leaked from the Liberal Party shadow cabinet was very similar to the policy that we had, and the Leader of the Opposition is interjecting that these people would be hired anyway. So, it just shows you a mockery of the shadow cabinet's policy-making procedures.

The SPEAKER: I think we'll go to the member for Elder.