State Economy

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (14:25): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Trade and Investment regarding statistics.

The PRESIDENT: Is leave granted?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Just before you start, the Hon. Ms Scriven.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: On 8 March 2013, the now Premier released a media statement that said, 'ABS figures revealed South Australia's economy is in recession, with the economy going backwards for two consecutive quarters.' The ABS figures released today also show South Australia going backwards overall for the 2019 full calendar year. My question is: does the minister agree with the Premier's view that South Australia is in recession after going backwards for two consecutive quarters?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade and Investment) (14:26): I am not going to be verballed by the members opposite. As I said—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: When the opposition has finished we will hear an answer.

The Hon. K.J. Maher interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Okay. Minister.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: It is disappointing, the figures we have seen. The members opposite, the trouble is they don't get out to see some of the headwinds that this state has been suffering. Of course, we have had significant issues in regional South Australia. We have had some standout parts of the economy, such as tourism, international education, and wine exports have been particularly strong. But there is no shying away from the fact that we are facing some headwinds, as we have said. I think the Treasurer may have been quoted in an article today saying that we have got some challenging times ahead of us. Right now we are focused on doing what we can to continue to rebuild the South Australian economy.