Northern Economic Plan

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (14:42): Can I clarify: is the minister indicating that this was a political agreement entered into by him, as a minister, and mayors as an arbitrary target based upon no factual advice at all?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:42): This was an aim that the organisations who put forward the Northern Economic Plan have come up with as an aim to increase employment in the area.

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: Your aim too?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Yes, it's those partners of the Northern Economic Plan, which include the Salisbury council, the Port Adelaide Enfield council and the Playford council. It's our aim to make sure as jobs change, with the changing nature of the economy, that we aim towards keeping the jobs that are there and increasing employment in the area. I think that's a worthwhile aim for us to have there. It doesn't matter how critical the opposition are, we will aim to create jobs where we can.