Construction Industry

Mr CREGAN (Kavel) (15:09): My question is to the Minister for Innovation and Skills. Can the minister advise how the construction sector is contributing to the government's COVID-19 recovery plan and what this means for the local industry?

The Hon. D.G. PISONI (Unley—Minister for Innovation and Skills) (15:10): I am so keen to answer the question and I thank the member for Kavel for his question. I know that he gets very excited every time he drives past that development work happening at Mount Barker High School and Mount Barker Primary School. South Australia's economic recovery has made headlines again today—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Wright is warned for a second time.

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: —as a result of the Marshall government's economic stimulus and job growth measures. According to new data, the value of construction work in our state during the March quarter hit a record $1.69 billion, with jobs in the industry continuing to record growth. The Master Builders report said that nearly 34,000 South Australians are now directly employed in the building and construction sector, and that is not to mention the apprentices there—up more than 5,000 from the same time last year. Wages across the industry have also increased by 5.6 per cent.

The value of non-residential building work in South Australia totalled $785.7 million in the March quarter. This was 18 per cent higher and the highest quarterly rise in the nation; the nation fell 1.6 per cent. The non-residential construction pipeline in Australia rose to 14 per cent in the December quarter. This is the highest level for nearly a decade.

The Master Builders Association of South Australia expects non-residential building activity in the state to remain steady over the next four months with non-residential projects under construction in South Australia. You see the cranes everywhere. I am running out of time, so I won't run through the lot of them, but wherever you go you will see the building work. Of course, this is backed—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Deputy Premier!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: —by the Marshall government's record $16.7 billion—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Wright! The member for Wright will cease interjecting.

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: —investment in infrastructure and our targeted stimulus package, and of course 864,200 South Australians are now employed, which is the highest number ever.