Northern Economic Plan

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (14:43): Supplementary question: can the minister confirm then—given this was part of his target of 15,000 new jobs—upon what basis did he decide 15,000 was the target, as opposed to 20, 25 or 10?

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) (14:43): I think it's pretty much the same question that's been answered, so I will answer it again. This is an aim from those who contributed to the plan.

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: Yes, but why did you choose 15?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: It's an aim for all of those who contributed to the plan.

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: It's your aim.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: It's not my sole aim that I put forward. It's an aim that is in the Northern Economic Plan, put forward by all those partners to the Northern Economic Plan as an aim to increase employment. This is a target that has been put forward by the partners to the Northern Economic Plan as an aim to increase jobs—and we will look to increase jobs and that's what we will do under the Northern Economic Plan.