Question Time

Unemployment Figures

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:07): My question is to the Premier. Why is the South Australian unemployment rate now the equal worst on the Australian mainland?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:07): I am so pleased that the Leader of the Opposition has seen fit to ask a question about jobs in South Australia. We went to the election with a strong plan to create more jobs here in South Australia and that is exactly and precisely—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —what we've done. When I look at those ABS statistics today, what I concentrate on is the fact that there are 2,000 more people employed in South Australia—this year, this month—than last month: 12,700 additional people employed in South Australia over the last 12 months. This is something—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —to absolutely celebrate. Only those opposite could talk down the economy in South Australia at the moment. We have the highest small business confidence in the nation and we've got an economy which is feeling more buoyant about the future.

When we look at the specific statistics of additional hours worked and additional wages paid this month over the previous month, it's a $92 million injection in our economy. This is fantastic news. Yes, the unemployment rate may have moved, but that's a function of the fact that more people in South Australia are feeling confident about our state and they are deciding to participate in our economy.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: The participation rate in South Australia continues to increase. This is good news for our state. People who under the previous regime had given up hope of ever finding a job in South Australia, had exited the job market, have all of a sudden decided that there is hope for them in South Australia. They have joined the quest for a job in South Australia, and the good news is they are finding those jobs in South Australia—2,000 more people employed in South Australia this month than last month. This is something to celebrate.

I have to say that we are delighted with this outcome. More people employed in South Australia is a good outcome. Only those opposite could be talking about this being bad for South Australia. I remember—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —when the Labor Party was in government—oh! Anyway, when they were in government they made a promise to the people of South Australia. They said that, in a six-year period, they would create 100,000 new jobs. How many did they actually create?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: What was it again?

The Hon. D.G. Pisoni: It was 10,000.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: So 10,000. You missed it by that much. We have created 12,700 new full-time jobs in the past 12 months. We feel very proud about that, and the reason why those jobs have been created is that the policy settings in South Australia are now correct. We have removed payroll tax for all small businesses in South Australia.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: On 1 January, there was a situation that was put into place where all businesses in this state with a payroll of up to $1½ million will not pay a cent in payroll tax. Under the previous government that threshold was $600,000. It is now $1.5 million here in South Australia.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: We put $200 million into creating apprenticeships and traineeships in South Australia. We have halved the emergency services levy. We will be working every single day that we are on the treasury bench to advance our economy and to create more jobs in this state.

The SPEAKER: Before I call the Leader of the Opposition, I call to order the following members: the member for Kaurna, the member for Badcoe, the member for Wright, the member for West Torrens, the member for Playford, the deputy leader, the member for Ramsay, the member for Reynell, the Minister for Innovation, the Minister for Child Protection, the Minister for Police, and I warn for a first time the members for Badcoe, Playford and Hammond. The leader has the call.