Skills Training

Mr McBRIDE (MacKillop) (14:50): My question is to the Minister for Industry and Skills. Can the minister update the house on how the state government is aligning the workforce and skills needs of the state with targeted population growth?

The Hon. D.G. PISONI (Unley—Minister for Industry and Skills) (14:50): I thank the member for MacKillop for his question. Many of his constituents have all these lambs that need to be slaughtered at the local meatworks, and of course the population growth policy has kept that work in South Australia. The money has kept the shops open in Naracoorte and Bordertown, and the economy is growing down there.

The Marshall Liberal government is growing South Australia's economy. We are providing new training and employment opportunities for more South Australians. We are supporting businesses through tax cuts, reducing red tape and lowering business costs. As a result, business confidence is at a 10-year high—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: —and the job figures reflect that: 9,600 full-time jobs over the last 12 months. Businesses don't employ full-time if they don't think there is a future in the economy.

Mr Malinauskas interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, be quiet.

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: Full-time jobs show the confidence that is out there in the business community. Part-time jobs converted to full-time jobs is good news for South Australians. They can now go to the bank and apply for mortgage because they have a full-time job. We all know they are much more secure. It's very good news for South Australians.

We are rebuilding the training system to deliver a skilled workforce and encouraging targeted skilled migration to address skill shortages across the state that are restricting growth. I was in Port Pirie just last Wednesday, and there are so many—

Mr Malinauskas interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Leader!

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —empty shops in the main street of Port Pirie. They want more people to live in Port Pirie. They want more people, and the businesses and the agricultural industries want the labour to operate their businesses. This is vital to take full advantage of the massive opportunities on the horizon here in South Australia, particularly through new and growing industries: defence, space, cybersecurity, health, disability and aged care. There is a huge demand in health and aged care.

On 6 March, the Premier released findings from the Joyce review—a major review undertaken to support growth of the South Australian economy. I am excited to be charged with driving key aspects of the South Australian economy through innovation, skills and population growth.

The Hon. Z.L. Bettison interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Ramsay is warned.

Mr Malinauskas interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Leader!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: My refocused innovation and skills agency will be the lead for driving innovation, commercialisation, entrepreneurship and development of a skilled workforce across industry here in South Australia. Population growth is a key focus, particularly in regional South Australia. We have great news coming our way, with Mr Gupta in Whyalla, because 80,000 people is the predicted size of Whyalla over the coming years. The infrastructure is already there to deliver more people living in regional South Australia.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: The realignment will match skills with industries needing to grow their workforce. My department will lead the establishment of innovation precincts with a focus on start-ups, high-tech and innovation-led industries.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: My department is working closely with the cross-government Machinery of Government—

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens is on two warnings.

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: I will just repeat that, Mr Speaker. My department is working closely—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: —with the cross-government Machinery of Government Taskforce to implement the required changes by 1 April. I think the important thing here is that we heard comments from those opposite about housing. One of the key issues that was raised by Mr Markos was population growth.