South Australian Labour Market

Ms SAVVAS (Newland) (14:23): My question is to the Treasurer. Can the Treasurer update the house on the South Australian labour market?

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Treasurer) (14:23): I thank the member for Newland for her question. I know it's a matter of interest to her, but she will not be alone in being interested in the performance of the state's jobs market, because there is further unalloyed good news today: once again, recording a record low unemployment rate of 3.6 per cent. That is the second lowest unemployment rate in the nation.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: In fact, our unemployment rate is lower than the national average.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: I know the member for Dunstan is excited. It’s jobs day, and that always excites the member for Dunstan, and it seems today that he has had a little something extra at lunch, maybe a little can of Bubblicious, to fire up for question time.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: He is on the edge of his seat when it comes to the jobs figures. He is listening with bated breath about the extraordinary performance of the labour market.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: It's not just the unemployment rate—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Florey is warned. Member for Florey!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: —there are now 52,000 more South Australians in work now than at the time of the last election—52,000 people more.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Colton! Member for Schubert! Member for Morphett!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: And when the unemployment rate under the previous government was 4.9 per cent, it's now 3.6 per cent.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: There is a considerable number of interjections being made. It must be said that they are from both sides of the chamber, but they are equally contrary to the standing orders.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: It is remarkable—52,000 more South Australians in work. For those people who have found work, it's almost as if the conditions couldn't be better.

Members interjecting:

Mr Whetstone: What policies?

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: What policies?

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Chaffey!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: My advice to the member for Dunstan is it's not just about the CV. Make sure you've got referees, because if they can't verify the performance, they won't take you on—CVs and referees, for the member for Dunstan.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for West Torrens! The member for Morphett is warned.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: The good news is it's not just the jobs numbers, not just the unemployment rate, but what will be really welcomed—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Schubert is warned. The member for Chaffey is on a final warning.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: —by the member for Dunstan is that wages have gone up over the last year. Maybe he has timed his run perfectly. Wages are up 4 per cent—good news. It is really good news—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Chaffey!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: —particularly for those seeking a change, for those wanting to try something new. It's terrific news for those people looking to enter the labour market.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Chaffey! Member for Unley!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Conditions have never been better, but this does come as a double-edged sword, of course, because it's also tough for businesses to find appropriately skilled workers.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Morialta!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: That's why it was really pleasing to see the minister and the Premier only a couple of weeks ago announce more than $400 million extra to skill up the South Australian workforce so those people who are seeking new work opportunities have got the skills necessary to take on a new job.

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer's time has expired.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Dunstan is warned. The member for Florey, you are on a final warning. Member for Dunstan, order! Member for Elizabeth, order! We will turn to the member for Flinders when there is order.