Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas said today three local mayors had cast significant doubts
over claims made in Parliament by Minister Kyam Maher about the 15,000 jobs
claim included in the Northern Economic Plan.
When the Weatherill Government released its $24 million Northern Economic Plan it included the 15,000 jobs claim to grow employment to 165,000 by 2025.
Mr Maher told Parliament the 15,000 jobs claim had not been estimated by Treasury
or consultants but had been developed by local mayors and him:
“This was an aim that has been put forward by the local mayors and myself.”
(Hansard, 24 February 2016)
However, Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Gary Johanson has made it clear that the first he
heard of the 15,000 jobs target was after the plan was launched.
Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty says the first time he learnt of the 15,000 jobs target
was when he received the final draft of the plan the evening before it was
launched.
Salisbury Mayor Gillian Aldridge said she could not remember sitting down with the other
mayors and agreeing on a 15,000 jobs target.
“Clearly the 15,000 jobs claim was not developed and agreed to by the local mayors and
Mr Maher,” said Mr Lucas.
“Mr Maher continues to refuse to answer questions as to how the 15,000 jobs target
was developed.
“It now appears that the 15,000 jobs figure has just been ‘plucked out of the air’
by the Minister or some Government spin doctor to try and add some credibility to
the Government’s Northern Economic Plan.
“The Weatherill Government has been caught out perpetrating a cruel hoax on the
workers and families in the northern suburbs.
“Minister Maher must now come clean and indicate who was responsible for the 15,000 jobs claim and on what basis this claim has been estimated.”
