Immigration Policy

The Hon. S.L. GAME (15:02): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing a question to the Attorney-General, representing the workforce and population strategy minister, Susan Close, regarding the state government's sponsored visa programs which aim to attract skilled migrants to fill workforce shortages.

The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted, but remember that it's the Hon. Susan Close, when you are referring to another member.

The Hon. S.L. GAME: Thank you, Mr President. Modelling shows a current South Australian workforce shortage of nearly 23,000 across various sectors, while research—including by the South Australian Business Chamber in 2024—shows labour shortages are a significant issue for local businesses. These labour shortages are expected to become more acute in the coming years due to our ageing population, workforce demographics and net interstate migration loss from South Australia. My questions to the Attorney-General, representing the workforce and population strategy minister, are:

1. What tracking or data does the government have that shows the outcome and benefits of this state-sponsored migration program?

2. In addition to failing to train South Australians, why isn't the government keeping track of the people South Australian taxpayers are sponsoring and making sure they are actually doing the jobs they are trained for?

3. How can the government be sure that we have the right people being accepted into South Australia to meet the state's unique workforce needs, or is it just guesswork?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:03): I will be happy to pass those questions on to the Deputy Premier in the other place and bring back a reply for the honourable member.