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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-11-17 Daily Xml
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Employment Figures

Mr BROWN (Florey) (14:14): My question is to the Treasurer. Can the Treasurer provide the house with an update on the employment market in South Australia?

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Treasurer) (14:14): I'm grateful to the member for Florey for asking this question because we should take today as an opportunity to reflect that today a record has been set in South Australia: the highest number of people in work in the state's history—897,100 South Australians now in employment. This is extraordinary. Also, of course, a record number of people are in full-time work: 595,000 people in full-time work.

In the last month, the ABS records that total employment grew by 11,800 people, which is actually more than the increase in labour force participation. In gross terms, that means that everybody who entered the labour market over the last month found a job—and then some. That is great news. We have seen total employment grow by more than 7,000 jobs since March of this year and, pleasingly, full-time employment has increased by just under 10,000 jobs.

Mr Cowdrey interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Colton!

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: In fact, the labour market is so strong we have even seen the member for Colton find something to do this week.

Mrs Hurn interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Schubert is warned.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: It is extraordinary. Maybe even the deputy leader—

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order, sir.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: —will find something to do in the current labour market.

The SPEAKER: Treasurer, there is a point of order which I will hear from the—

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens is called to order. Member for Morialta.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Standing order 98, and personal reflections as well for that matter.

The SPEAKER: Yes, there is some force in the member for Morialta's contribution. The Treasurer's robust remarks are noted, but equally he ought have in mind standing order 98.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am grateful for your guidance. As I was saying earlier, the participation rate has increased over the past month up to 63.4 per cent, although we should be honest to admit that there is still room for improvement in that metric, of course. South Australia, although it has a very low unemployment rate, is still at the top of the nation for its unemployment rate, but there is still room for improvement. There has been improvement, though, in the employment to population ratio, and the underemployment rate has fallen as well. These are very encouraging, strong results.

But we have to be honest: we are being told by the federal government, by the Reserve Bank, by economic commentators, that Australia should prepare itself for seeing softer economic conditions next calendar year. South Australia won't be immune from that. The impact of high rates of inflation, rising interest rates, global uncertainty, and the reverberations of disrupted supply chains over the last two years will continue to make themselves felt and, during the course of next year, make themselves felt more severely.

We also have, of course, what may be a significant impact from what the member for Chaffey has been raising, if we have ongoing impacts from flood conditions in the Riverland. All of these may well choose to be significant challenges to the state's economy. But I have to say, what a basis to confront future economic challenges from, when we have remarkably strong economic growth, strong jobs growth and the highest levels of employment on record.

There is always more to do, not just for the state government but also for the community. We have to continue investing to support the economy. We have to keep backing South Australian small businesses, in particular, and supporting South Australian jobs, and I am pleased to report that is what this government is committed to doing.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Hartley and the Treasurer will cease their exchange.

Mr Tarzia interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Hartley, your colleague the member for Colton is seeking the call.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for West Torrens!

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