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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-03-08 Daily Xml
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Northern Economic Plan

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:21): I seek leave to make an explanation prior to directing a question to the Leader of the Government on the subject of the Northern Economic Plan.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: In the last sitting week, the minister responded to a series of questions on the 15,000 jobs target included in the Northern Economic Plan. When asked who was responsible he said, 'This was an aim,' this 15,000 jobs target, 'that has been put forward by the local mayors and myself'.

In a media story that has been placed online today, three local mayors have disagreed significantly with that particular claim made in parliament by the minister. Port Adelaide Enfield mayor, Gary Johanson, told the Northern Messenger that he first heard of the 15,000 jobs target after the plan was launched; Playford mayor, Glenn Docherty, said that he learned of the 15,000 jobs target when he received the final draft the plan the evening before it was launched in January; and Salisbury mayor, Gillian Aldridge, said that she recalled discussing a jobs target during the creation of the plan but was unsure when the 15,000 figure was created. However, she went on to say, 'I can't remember sitting down with the other mayors and saying, yes, 15,000 is the target.'

My question is: does the minister accept that he was wrong when he told the parliament in the last sitting week of this session, 'This was an aim that has been put forward by the local mayors and myself'?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (15:23): I thank the member for his question. I do not have the article he refers to in front of me. I will have a look at it—

The Hon. R.I. Lucas interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I do not have the article in front of me. I suspect the quotes may be being taken a bit out of context, but I am happy to take that on notice and have a look at the words used. In terms of the development of the plan, I am happy to come back with a fuller answer. I know the honourable member has selectively quoted from Hansard again, as he usually does. However, I have put it on the record earlier today and if he listens to my answer it is contained there.

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