The Marshall Government has welcomed the latest Deloitte Access Economics Business Outlook report which states that “South Australia has weathered the COVID storm remarkably well to date” – with low cases, businesses open and positive news on the jobs front.
The report states that South Australia’s recovery theme has been “jobs, jobs and more jobs”, with the state’s unemployment rate now lower than it was when COVID-19 hit, as well as being the lowest unemployment rate of any of the states.
There are more people employed full time in South Australia now than the same time last year, making SA “the only state so far to have achieved that enviable position” – something which South Australians should be proud of.
Deloitte also notes that South Australia has pushed “money into jobs” including a “…$4 billion economic stimulus to generate thousands of jobs, as well as $16.7 billion in infrastructure investment and $280 million invested in skills training…”.
Treasurer Rob Lucas welcomed the report which outlined further positive signs that the state’s economy will emerge strongly from the COVID-19 pandemic, following strong business survey results at the back end of 2020, such as the BankSA State Monitor and the ANZ/Property Council survey.
“These positive economic signs highlighted by Deloitte Access Economics come on the back of last week’s ABS Job Vacancies figures which showed SA job vacancies hit a 10-year high, a further very positive sign for our state’s economy as it recovered from the pandemic,” Mr Lucas said.
“Business confidence and consumer confidence are absolutely critical for the state’s ongoing jobs and economic recovery, and we welcome the positive sentiment highlighted by this report and contained in recent surveys.
“The Marshall Government is doing everything in its power to save as many jobs and businesses as possible during this challenging time, investing a record $4 billion in economic stimulus – including an extension of $10,000 cash grants for small businesses and not-for-profits, and significant payroll tax relief and land tax relief.”