Job Creation

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (14:59): Supplementary question arising out of the answer. Does the minister acknowledge that Victoria faces the same problems in relation to the declining car industry, and can the minister address the issue as to how they have managed to create more than 200,000 jobs while still confronting the same problems that South Australia has in terms of the decline of manufacturing and the car industry?

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) (15:00): Mr President, I believe I have already answered that question. I have already indicated that not only are there global—

The Hon. T.J. Stephens interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Mr Stephens, you have had your question, so allow the Minister to answer.

The Hon. T.J. Stephens interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Just relax. The minister.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I have already indicated that there are global and national pressures that are amplified in a state like South Australia. South Australia's economy is much smaller than that of Victoria and, as I said, these sorts of activities tend to be amplified in an economy that does not have the same scale as larger economies. I have already indicated that we have faced various challenges here, not only with our car industry but also I gave the example of our submarines. On both fronts, the federal Liberal government has basically sold out South Australia. It is an absolute disgrace.