COVID-19 Economic Response

Ms LUETHEN (King) (14:48): My question is to the Minister for Trade and Investment. Can the minister update the house on how the Marshall Liberal government is contributing to the COVID recovery in South Australia through attracting investment and creating jobs?

The Hon. S.J.R. PATTERSON (Morphett—Minister for Trade and Investment) (14:49): I thank the member for King for the question. It is always a good opportunity to speak about what the Marshall government is doing to attract business and investment in South Australia. It was great to join the member for King very recently doorknocking and listening to her residents. They really love their hardworking member.

It was also a good opportunity to talk to them about what the Marshall government is doing not only to assist household residents but also business—whether that is reducing costs, bringing down their water rates, their water bills or electricity prices. We know what effect soaring electricity prices have had not only on the residents of King but on all residents of South Australia. We have brought them down, which is fantastic news.

From a business point of view, we have lowered payroll tax for small business. They don't have payroll tax now, which helps them to employ not only South Australians but also the constituents in the electorate of King. Of course, it was also great to talk about the health response that we have had during the global pandemic. We have been kept virtually COVID free, which has been great for the health of South Australians. It has also been very good for businesses to be able to continue to trade profitably.

I have talked previously in this house about attracting global companies to South Australia, whether it is Microsoft's Azure Space or Nokia's 5G innovation and incubation industrial hub employing South Australians. Further to that, we have had great news because Deloitte is basing its first Australian Technology and Innovation Centre right here in South Australia, which is going to create jobs for 500 South Australians. That is 500 jobs in areas such as automation, analytics, cyber and financial audit right here in South Australia. We are certainly positioning South Australia as a centre of excellence in the nation for innovation and technology.

Of course, I had the opportunity to meet with Adelaide's managing partner for Deloitte, Mr Hendri Mentz. I met him at the Space Discovery Centre, which was very apt. They've got a focus on seeing what is going on in space, and I thanked him for his significant investment in South Australia to help bolster our ecosystem.

It was interesting to hear from Mr Mentz about why Deloitte chose Adelaide as the home for its first Australian Centre for Innovation and Technology. Hendri said that it was because of the enormous confidence Deloitte has in the South Australian economy and also the exceptional talent market that exists in this region.

In fact, he was able to inform me that 41 graduate positions have already been filled to go towards this Australian Centre for Innovation and Technology, and there is more to come. He went on to add that this move into Adelaide is about harnessing the technology and innovation ecosystem in Adelaide and developing new offerings not only for South Australia but for the Australian market, so, again, setting up a hub here.

They have learnt from what they have seen their clients do, and they want to be a part of it. Of course, they would have also taken great interest in their very own Deloitte Economic Business Outlook report for September, which stated that the ability of South Australia to keep outbreaks at bay has allowed the recovery in South Australia to go from strength to strength.

That has seen strong employment growth in South Australia amongst the soaring housing and construction sector and net positive migration. That is another way that the Marshall government is encouraging business to come to South Australia and to create jobs in South Australia.