Unemployment Figures

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:26): Thanks, Mr Speaker. My question is to the Minister for Innovation and Skills. What impact did the government's decision to increase fees, charges and taxes by more than $513 million in the last state budget have on South Australia now having the highest unemployment rate in the nation?

The Hon. D.G. PISONI (Unley—Minister for Innovation and Skills) (14:26): This government, when it was elected, in its very first budget put an extra $200 million, in conjunction with the federal government, into skills training. We reduced the burden of tax on small business. Not a single small business in South Australia with a turnover of—

Mr Hughes interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Giles is called to order.

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: —$1.5 million or less pays payroll tax. Let me tell you a story about that. I was on a skills mission just recently and Paul Denver was on that from Enable College. Do you know what he did with the saving he made on his payroll tax? He employed someone extra for his business. That is the impact of the changes in government policy when you have a government that understands business and knows what levers to move so business will respond.

The thing about South Australia is that we are predominantly small businesses. Small businesses respond very quickly to changes in government policy, and that is what we are seeing: 15,700 new jobs since the election, 8,200 of them full-time jobs. This is a sign of confidence returning to South Australia after the dark days, the clouds that hovered over South Australia for 16 years, particularly under the stewardship of the former treasurer, the member for West Torrens. They were the darkest days in South Australia.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: I can tell you that there are clear skies for the South Australian economy—

Mr Malinauskas interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Leader!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: —under the leadership of Premier Marshall.

Ms Hildyard interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Reynell is called to order.

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: We have a record number of South Australians working in South Australia, a record number of hours being worked and more money being earned in wages—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: —in South Australia than ever before.