State Economy

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:10): My question is to the Premier. Does the Premier take responsibility for the number of businesses believing that the state's economy is going backwards nearly quadrupling over the last year?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:10): The Leader of the Opposition asks an interesting question about who should take responsibility.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: I have looked at a number of—

Dr Close interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The deputy leader is called to order.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —different opinions on who should take responsibility for this, and there is one that I would like to refer to today, and I am happy to read—

Mr Boyer interjecting:

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

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —it into Hansard. It says here, and this is a quote from the Leader of the Opposition in the foreword to the survey:

In recent months we have seen the impact that trade wars and global pressures can have on national economies.

Much of that is felt in local business conditions, driving right through to the take home pay of thousands of workers.

The challenge for us as State leaders, is to create opportunities and conditions that buffer against the headwinds.

So, when given an opportunity—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member on my left!

Ms Stinson interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Badcoe is warned.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —to talk to the business community, he says there are global headwinds—

Mr Brown interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Playford is warned.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —global headwinds—

Dr Close interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader is warned.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: —but at the press conference he says it is a disaster because he is talking down the state again, saying one thing to the business community, another thing to the press in South Australia.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: He is reminding me more and more of Bill Shorten every day—Bill Shorten with a slightly better running style, but nevertheless Bill Shorten.

The SPEAKER: Premier, there is a point of order. The point of order is for?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Debate, sir.

The SPEAKER: Debate. I uphold the point of order, but let me say this: I am trying to listen to the answers and it is a bit hard when members on my left and right are shouting. Consequently, I warn for a second and final time the members for Badcoe and Playford. Is the Premier finished? Leader.

Mr MALINAUSKAS: There's only one of us promising a tax increase. My question is to the Premier—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Is there a question on my right? We will take that one. The member for MacKillop. I will come back to the leader.