Job Creation

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (14:38): My question is directed to the Leader of the Government in the council. Given the promise made by premier Rann in the period leading up to 2010 and reaffirmed in the period leading up to 2014 by Premier Weatherill of the 100,000 new jobs by February 2016, is that still a promise that the leader of the government is committed to?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:38): I thank the member for his question. I have answered this question several times in this place before, but I am happy to answer it again. I have answered it quite clearly, I think on more than one occasion, and I refer members to Hansard but, as I said, the opposition never listen. They are lazy and indifferent and they never pay attention, but I am happy to go back on the record yet again.

In 2010, the government committed to an aspirational and challenging target to create an additional 100,000 jobs over six years from 2010 to 2016. During this time, the global financial crisis came along, with South Australia's stronger reliance on industries adversely impacted by the strong Australian dollar. Areas that were particularly impacted were, of course, manufacturing and agriculture, combined with less reliance on growth industries like mining, and contributed to a relatively subdued labour market performance, which we are all aware of.

There are, however, many positive signs, indicating that the state's economy is strengthening. Employment in South Australia has increased by around 6,700-odd jobs over the past year. Similarly, full-time employment in South Australia has increased by around 14,600 over the past year and has been increasing for 11 consecutive months. I will repeat that, because it is worth repeating: 11 consecutive months of full-time employment growth. In trend terms, hours worked have been increasing for 13 consecutive months in South Australia, increasing by 3.2 per cent. Over the same period, the national growth rate was 0.8 per cent.

In the 12 months to September 2014, the value of South Australia's overseas goods exports was at a near record high of $12.1 billion. This was up 9.9 per cent on the previous 12 months, stronger than the 7.2 per cent growth recorded nationally. The total value of South Australia's exports continues to be supported by growth in the value of exports of things like copper, meat, meat preparations, wheat, vegetables and fruit, and other metals. Investment is currently at a record high, with real private and new capital expenditure in South Australia in the June quarter 2014 being 5.4 per cent higher than the year earlier, while nationally this fell by 5 per cent over the same period.

I have talked in this place before about retail and some of the positive outcomes there, and education services. Visitor rates are up. I have talked in this place on a number of occasions in terms of some of the positive economic indicators. While we recognise that the 100,000 jobs target is aspirational, I have indicated previously that it is my view that, even with these positive trends, we are unlikely to achieve it. Nevertheless, for the reasons I have outlined, we will continue to work towards that target. We are committed to working towards skilling our labour force and attracting investment in business and growing retail and exports. It is a target that at this point in time we continue to aspire to and work towards but, as I said, it is aspirational and it is unlikely at this rate that we will achieve that.