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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-02-20 Daily Xml
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MANUFACTURING SECTOR

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (14:18): Given the Premier's comments about the importance of the manufacturing sector to South Australia, why has Labor cancelled the small and medium enterprise industry development program, defunded the business enterprise centres, closed Innovate SA, cancelled the South Australian youth entrepreneur scheme, defunded the small business emergency helpline, cancelled small business month, reinstated charging payroll tax for trainees and apprentices, and closed the South Australian centre for manufacturing?

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis: He asked this question last year. Are you that old?

The SPEAKER: I warn the Minister for Transport for the first time. Premier.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:18): I thank the honourable member for his question. Since I have assumed this role, and certainly it has been a long-term commitment during the life of the whole of this government, just in the recent years I can point to the significant changes that have been made to pursue the advanced manufacturing agenda. Probably the most significant change is to make it one of the seven priorities that we believe are at the heart of our future prosperity.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Well, we published our plans. I invite you to do so any time you like. We published our plans for the future of manufacturing in this state. We published an advanced manufacturing strategy which draws on the best knowledge that exists in this country and around the world to drive an advanced manufacturing agenda, so we have set out a blueprint for change. As soon as I assumed this role, I created a new portfolio which put manufacturing and innovation front and centre in the new role of the agency, and I appointed the Minister for Manufacturing to that role (the present member for West Torrens).

We have decided to ensure that the innovation agenda is not something strapped on by some statutory agency that somehow is an afterthought. It is central to everything we do in government. It drives all of our decision-making. So, our procurement is directed at the question of innovation. The way in which we regulate is directed at the question of innovation. All of our industry policy is directed at it. The public service is turning around its activities and directing itself to the question of innovation.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: And for those opposite who do not understand what the word 'innovation' means, it means doing new things, not raising your voice in opposition to those things that—

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: The Premier will be seated. The member for Stuart, who, by the way, at the end of the Premier's answer, I was going to call to order for interjections—so, it is a happy circumstance that you have risen for a point of order.

Mr VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Mr Consistent Speaker, I ask you to implement standing order 104 because the Premier is clearly disobeying your previous instruction in not addressing comments through you.

The SPEAKER: Thank you. Would the Premier please address the Chair? Premier.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I always address the Chair, Mr Speaker; all of my remarks are directed through you. Those opposite—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: But that is not the standing order. Those opposite raise their voice against every progressive change which is advanced by this government to take us into a bright future. What they stand for is the status quo—

Mr PENGILLY: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: Point of order, member for Finniss.

Mr PENGILLY: Standing order 98.

The SPEAKER: I will hear the Premier further. Premier.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Just take some individual examples: in the South-East, undertaking a study with VTT Finland (essentially the CSIRO of Finland) to look at adding value to our fibre so that we have an advanced manufacturing future for the South-East; the investments that we have managed to leverage out of the commonwealth government in relation to the Riverland, so that there is an advanced manufacturing future for the Riverland; the commitments that we have now got from the commonwealth and ourselves to ensure that Nyrstar has a future—an advanced manufacturing future—for Port Pirie; the investments that are going on down at Techport to ensure that we have an advanced manufacturing future for Port Adelaide and, indeed, the state; the investments that we are making in Tonsley Park, to not take the backward-looking step of looking at a failed Mitsubishi plant, but look forward in imagining a bright, new future for manufacturing in this state. And every single time, at every turn, what we hear from those opposite is the comfortable voice of the status quo: let nothing change. They represent those that would have South Australia be cryogenically frozen—

Mr PISONI: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: I anticipate the point of order of the member for Unley.

Mr PISONI: Standing order 98: this is clearly debate. It is clearly debate.

The SPEAKER: I anticipate that point of order and, if I anticipate it correctly, I uphold it. The Premier has finished his reply.

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