Designated Area Migration Agreements

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee) (14:46): My question is to the Premier. Is the Premier aware that the unemployment rate in Port Pirie is 11.2 per cent?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:46): Yes, there are some very significantly high unemployment rates across regional South Australia, but those people who have ever been to regional South Australia, spoken to employers, spoken to mayors and civic leaders, will note that in many of those regional cities and towns the skill differential is a problem. You have people there who are looking for work but they don't have the skills to actually take up these roles.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: This is something that if those opposite spent more than five minutes—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —playing the politics and sat down—

The Hon. D.G. Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Innovation!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —with people from regional South Australia, they would know this. I think it would be worthwhile speaking to members right across this parliament. I think that the Leader of the Opposition could spend some time with his members who come from regional South Australia, ask them the question and then come back and report to this parliament that the DAMA is not required, that skilled migration is not required in country areas and that the TSMIT should be moved to $65,000. I do not think that you could—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —possibly find one regional member in this place who thinks that the TSMIT should be increased to $65,000.