House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-05-11 Daily Xml

Contents

JOB CREATION

Mr PISONI (Unley) (15:36): My question is to the Premier. Does the Premier still stand by his election promise to create 100,000 new jobs over the next six years? Since the Premier's promise made during the election campaign, the mining profits tax has been announced, SA's job advertisements have declined by 19 per cent and continue to decline over the entire year (both seasonally adjusted and trend), and there are an additional 5,100 people unemployed in South Australia. Access Economics has forecast that future jobs growth in South Australia will underperform the national average. Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, has threatened to break her promise of 100,000 new jobs, and she has an inquest into job ads in her state.

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (15:37): During the first two terms of this government, about 114,000 jobs were created. No-one on the other side of this house, when you compare our record, not only with the total number of jobs but also with the total number of full-time jobs, which was massively more, about 10 times more—more than 10 times more—no-one on that side of the house believed it was possible because, when we put out our plan for the future, while cowards sneered and traitors flinched—

Mr PISONI: Point of order, Madam Speaker: the question was whether he stood by the comments he made before the election about 100,000 jobs.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: On the point of order, Madam Speaker, I was going to take—

Mr WILLIAMS: Point of order, Madam Speaker—

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader will sit down. There is only one point of order at a time, but this is an explanation.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Will the deputy leader sit down—I haven't heard what the Minister for Transport has to say yet.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Not necessarily, but you are very good at giving advice also. I think we will ignore all these points of order and let the Premier finish his answer.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: While cowards flinched and traitors sneered, we achieved more than 100,000 jobs in our first two terms—eight years. Because we built the foundations, solid foundations, I stand here saying to members opposite, 'Get on board and support us to create another 100,000 jobs, this time in six years.' So, do I stand by our commitment? My word, yes.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!