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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-11-02 Daily Xml
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State Economy

Ms HUTCHESSON (Waite) (14:52): My question is to the Treasurer. Can the Treasurer update the house on the South Australian economy?

Mr Whetstone interjecting:

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Treasurer) (14:52): For some it will be, Tim! I am very grateful to the member for Waite for this question because, as members may have seen on Monday, the South Australian economy continues to perform strongly compared to the rest of the nation. Specifically, South Australia is now ranked second in the CommSec State of the States report—second! And just think, Mr Speaker, only 18 months ago, at the time of the last election, we were ranked fifth in the nation. What a remarkable improvement.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: It's extraordinary—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Treasurer has the call.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: —because some people opposite, people who watch the job vacancy stats really closely—

Mr Whetstone interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Chaffey!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: —for example, think that they left a solid economy—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Chaffey! Member for West Torrens!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: —when they exited after only one term, but of course the opposite is true, because the reason why we are ranked second in the nation, as opposed to fifth—

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Morialta!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: —in the nation is because our jobs market leads the country. There are 50,000 South Australians now in work that weren't at the time of the last election—40,000 of them, 80 per cent of them, are full-time.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: That is at the same time that job vacancies remain at historically high levels, because the truth is that here in South Australia, if you want a job, now is the best time to get a job. It has never been a better environment for those people with a full CV to get out there and have a crack. That's the sign of a strong economy.

But it is not just the CommSec State of the States report, Mr Speaker. No, it's the ANZ Stateometer as well. That's really strong as well; now a standout performer in their most recent report. The Business Council of Australia not only ranks us as the lowest cost jurisdiction for business, but it's the best place in the country to do business. So a great place to be employed, but a great place to employ people, Mr Speaker. There's never been a better time to have a go; it's never been—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: If not now, when?

Mr Cowdrey interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Colton!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: I mean, the time is ripe, Mr Speaker—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Whetstone interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Chaffey!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: It's extraordinary, Mr Speaker, it's remarkable. The groundwork is laid, the foundations have been built, and now it is time for anyone to paint in their canvas.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: It is an extraordinary time for opportunity. Not only that, there is now $400 million more in private new capital expenditure in the last quarter compared to what there was at the time of the last election.

Mrs Hurn: What's that got to do with you?

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: The member for Schubert says, 'What's that got to do with anything?' Well, that tends to be an important part of creating economic activity—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Schubert!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: It tends to be an important contributor to creating jobs. Exports are $4.3 billion higher now than at the time of the last election, 32 per cent higher.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Morphett! Member for Chaffey!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: If you are fond of going overseas you can sell your goods in a market like never before, it's never been a better time; unalloyed good news for our state's economy, and we hope everyone gets an opportunity.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

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