Space Industry

Mr PATTERSON (Morphett) (14:16): My question is to the Premier. Does the Premier have a plan to increase jobs in the space industry in South Australia? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr PATTERSON: Yesterday, in answer to a similar question, the Deputy Premier revealed that she has yet to meet with the federal industry minister regarding the impact on jobs and the industry of the near $80 million worth of cuts made by the federal Labor government in the recent budget.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:16): I am aware that the Deputy Premier is having the meeting that the shadow minister referred to on Monday—

The Hon. D.G. Pisoni: She hasn't. That's the point.

The SPEAKER: Member for Unley!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —which strikes me as being around about 11 or 12 days after the federal budget, which is pretty good going.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Colton is warned! The Premier has the call.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: This government has been in active dialogue with the commonwealth in the lead-up to the federal budget on a very substantial basis, whether that be myself—

The Hon. D.G. Pisoni: It's not working, is it?

The SPEAKER: Member for Unley!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —or the Deputy Premier or the Treasurer, or any one of the front bench, and it has yielded results. Those opposite might have noticed—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —that in the federal budget there are a range of measures that South Australia will be substantial beneficiaries of, not least of which is a $2 billion commitment into the Hydrogen Headstart program, where South Australia was specifically mentioned as a beneficiary of that. More than that, we have seen a range of investments out of the federal budget in respect to AUKUS, and the defence industry more broadly, that are specifically tailored towards South Australia. So this federal budget has been very kind to the South Australian economy and the future that we have in front of us.