Population Growth

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:38): Can the minister explain why the city of Port Pirie in the electorate of Frome has had the largest reduction in population in the last five years?

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) (14:38): I thank the honourable member for his question. I have not been here as long as he has but I have learnt very quickly in this place not to take on face value the assertions he and his colleagues, particularly the Hon. Rob Lucas, make when they ask questions. I am prepared to take that on notice so that the veracity of the facts that he comes out with can be checked and if he is wrong I will certainly come back and let him know, and if he is right I will see if there is an answer that can be found.