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

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (14:32): My question is to the minister for employment. After 11 years of state Labor government, why has the youth unemployment rate in the northern suburbs risen to 43 per cent, up from 30 per cent just 12 months ago?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:32): I thank the member for this important question. The first thing that needs to be done is to put these figures in an appropriate context because the opposition would have you believe that two out of five young people in Adelaide's north are unemployed.

What we, in fact, know is that most young people aren't looking for full-time employment. The figures don't refer to those young people who are either working full-time, studying full-time or participating in a combination of part-time work and part-time study. In fact, what is very heartening is that the vast majority of young people in northern Adelaide are, as we are very proud of, either learning or earning. In Adelaide's northern region, I am advised that only—

The Hon. J.J. Snelling interjecting:

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: Yes, that's right.

The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Health to order, and it's a pity that one has to do that to a former Speaker.

Mr PISONI: He's asked the question. I grew up there.

The SPEAKER: I call the member for Unley to order. That was not a point of order: it was an impromptu speech and an obstruction of the business of the house. Ministers do not ask questions, and if they do you don't answer them. The Minister for Employment.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: Thank you, Mr Speaker. In Adelaide's northern region, I am advised that only 6.3 per cent of young people are seeking full-time work and 8.2 per cent already have full-time work. The other thing that is important to acknowledge is that these figures are extremely volatile, and that is—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: No, no. When we start looking at South Australian youth unemployment data, the survey sample size—everybody acknowledges—is very small. Nonetheless, what I am very pleased to report is that since this government came to power we have created more than 127,000 new jobs, compared to say the 53,000 that they created when they were in government—127,000 compared to the 53,000 that they created. We believe—

Mr PENGILLY: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Employment will be seated. The member for Finniss.

Mr PENGILLY: Standing order 98: it is debating.

The SPEAKER: Minister, it would be helpful if you did not make contrasts with a former government that is lost in the mists of time. The minister.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: We are committed absolutely to creating the best future for our young South Australians. You do that by giving them a first-class education and training system. We are doing that. In education, we are very proud of what we are doing there. The Skills for All initiative is first class, and you invest in significant public sector infrastructure projects. We are very proud of our record.

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