Labour Force Data

Mr PATTERSON (Morphett) (14:16): My question is to the Minister for Industry and Skills. Can the minister update the house on the most recent labour force data for South Australia?

The Hon. D.G. PISONI (Unley—Minister for Industry and Skills) (14:16): I thank the member for Morphett for his question. I know that he himself has skin in the game when it comes to employing South Australians. Like many of us on this side, we understand the risk that employers and businesses take here in South Australia, and we are pleased that more and more South Australian businesses are getting on board now and employing more South Australians.

The figures that were released today show trend unemployment is steady at 5.5 per cent—the lowest in six years. It's a very important figure. The trend figure is the most reliable figure, but of course we also saw a dip in the seasonally adjusted figure, from 5.5 per cent to 5.4 per cent. It was 5.8 per cent at the same time last year. Total employment has increased by 12,400 since the same time last year and 55 per cent of those jobs have been full-time jobs.

Mr Boyer interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Wright is called to order.

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: This is one of the really early indicators. One of the easiest things a business can do when they are feeling confident and when they want their business to grow is to ask their existing employees to work more hours. There were 100,000 extra hours worked in October, compared with September. If you look at October 2018, compared with October 2017, 1.9 million extra hours were worked. If you put the average hourly rate onto those hours, it is $70 million extra in round figures being circulated and generated in the South Australian economy because of the fact that industry and business are getting behind the government's programs.

In survey after survey, we are seeing the business community coming back to do business here in South Australia and confidence rising. The BankSA State Monitor survey shows business confidence steady at an eight-year high. Business investment is 7.6 per cent higher in the June quarter than at the same time last year. Clearly, it shows a positive response to the Marshall government's plan. The reduction of the emergency services levy has meant the return of $90 million a year into the pockets of South Australians.

South Australians are responding. They are going out to businesses and spending that money. Businesses are responding: they are employing more South Australians. Of course, they are also responding to the very strong training package that we have out there, which is $203 million over four years—$1 million a week. It is not just the ABS figures that are reporting improvements in South Australia: the business community are telling us, whether they are from South Australia or whether they are from interstate. Last night at the Optus dinner, John Paitaridis, the managing director of business at Optus, in his speech said there was 'a big change since the election here in South Australia'—a big change.

Mr Malinauskas: That's not what he said. I was there, remember?

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: 'The place is pumping.' The Leader of the Opposition said he was there. He was there, looking like he was sucking on a lemon. He hated to hear the news—he hated to hear the news.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: 'The place was pumping,' he said. He didn't say since last September; he didn't say since the beginning of the year: he said since the election.

Mr Malinauskas interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: He said, 'Since the election—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left and right!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: —things have been changing here in South Australia.'

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: It's welcome news, but we still have a lot more work to do. We need to generate more jobs for South Australians—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: —and continually grow the South Australian economy.

Mr Malinauskas interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition is called to order. The member for West Torrens has the call.