Unemployment Figures

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Leader of the Opposition) (14:14): My question is to the Premier. Has the Premier looked at today's ABS statistics? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA: Yesterday, the Premier stood over there and espoused how well the economy, he said, was going and making, he said, a 'statement on the basis of facts'. That basis was the ABS. That very same source has today released the latest unemployment figures, which show that South Australia now has the highest unemployment rate in the nation, up 0.6 points to 4.9 per cent.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:15): I am glad that the Leader of the Opposition has taken our advice and started familiarising himself with credible sources of information. That's a practice I would encourage you to maintain. I would also encourage you to—in fact, I noted this morning on ABC radio when you were asked directly whether or not the algal bloom was caused by desal—

Mr TEAGUE: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: Point of order from the deputy leader.

Mr TEAGUE: It's 98(a). I am conscious of the time, and the Speaker has been quick to correct me. This is a direct departure from a straightforward question. The Premier needs to stick to the substance of the question in answering it.

The SPEAKER: He is less than 30 seconds in, and it was hard for me to hear what he was saying because of the noise coming from my left. So maybe if everyone on my right, on my left, keeps it down and then I can hear what the Premier is saying.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: Consistent with the Leader of the Opposition—

The Hon. D.G. Pisoni: He has form, sir.

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley, once again, can leave the chamber until the end of question time. One go, but look, 19 years in here, interjecting—I mean, you have had a few warnings over the time, and it came just after I had asked everyone on both sides to keep it down. So enjoy your cup of tea. Come back in with 10 minutes to go, okay?

The honourable member for Unley having withdrawn from the chamber:

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: The point I was making before the interjection was in terms of—and I will create a connection for the benefit of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition—we know that the harmful algal bloom is having an impact on many people within our state. That, of course, has an impact on the economy. To that end, we know that conspiracies should be debunked. The Leader of the Opposition was presented with a direct opportunity live on ABC radio this morning. He was asked point blank about whether or not the algal bloom was caused by the desal plant. He was evasive and that is well noted by everyone who does agree with facts. In respect of the ABS statistics—

Mr TEAGUE: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: Premier, the deputy leader has a point of order.

Mr TEAGUE: 98(a): there is evident defiance of the standing orders. The Premier has continued on the same path that elicited a point of order after a relatively short time—absolutely no regard for that response. The Premier needs to stick to the substance of the question.

The SPEAKER: It was a bit of a speech, but it's their question time. The Premier might want to get back on track.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: Thanks, Mr Speaker. The Leader of the Opposition referred to ABS statistics—which are a credible source of information, as distinct from other sources they often rely upon—and what the ABS statistics make clear is that the participation rate increased by 8,200 people in the most recent numbers, which is a very substantial increase of a full four basis points in terms of percentage.

The participation rate going up necessarily means, of course, that there are more people looking for jobs in South Australia, which is a very good sign. It's something that South Australia has continued to lag in and it's a reflection of the strength of the South Australian economy because, of course, the ABS also confirms—as the Leader of the Opposition might want to familiarise himself with—that this is the fastest growing economy on the mainland of this country. Our economic growth is outpacing the rest of the nation and that is in no small part because of the Treasurer's good work, along with the work of the government, but more importantly as a result of the work of a large number of people within the private sector of this state with whom this government enjoys a good working relationship.