Matt Williams (Hindmarsh, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on how the government is successfully managing the transition from the resources boom to a new, stronger and more diverse economy?

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The members on my left will cease interjecting.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question. Last week in South Australia we saw a lot of evidence of the type of investment in innovation that is going to ensure that Australians—

Mr Champion interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Wakefield is warned. He will not use props.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

that our children and grandchildren, have the great, high-wage jobs of the 21st century. Our priority is to ensure that the Australian economy continues its successful transition from one that was driven by a mining construction boom—an enormous and very welcome mining construction boom—to one that seizes the opportunities of these most exciting times in human history. We have never before seen such global economic growth in both scale and pace. Supercharged by technology, the opportunities have never been greater, but to succeed in seizing those opportunities, to continue that successful transition—which we are experiencing—we need to be more innovative, more competitive and more productive.

Every lever of government policy is pulling in that direction. Our innovation agenda represents a $1.1 billion investment to ensure that Australian children acquire the digital skills and literacy of the 21st century, that our great academic scientists and researchers collaborate better with industry and that investment and entrepreneurship is encouraged. Earlier today, together with the minister, we announced the composition of the new board of Innovation and Science Australia, composed of academics, business leaders and entrepreneurs. That is the team that will help us lead our science and innovation agenda and deliver the industries and the jobs of the future.

Those same priorities drive the government's defence white paper. We need to ensure that our defence dollar not only strengthens our armed forces in terms of the acquisition of new capabilities but also serves to build up and expand our local defence industries, from big manufacturers to technology start-ups. In South Australia last week—

Mr Champion interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Wakefield will leave under 94(a).

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

we visited the Fugro Laser Airborne Depth Sounder, an Australian technology developed originally for the Navy and now exported right around the world. Defence technologies lead the way—

Mr Champion interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Wakefield will leave immediately, or I will take more severe action.

The member for Wakefield then left the chamber.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

in other countries manifestly.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will resume his seat. I warn all members that, when they are asked to leave under 94(a), it is a requirement to leave immediately. There have been a couple of instances this year where members have deliberately lingered. I am giving fair warning: a persistence of this will lead to a naming.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian economy is strong, resilient and innovative, and we are transitioning well. In the December quarter, we saw real GDP grow by three per cent from a year earlier. Our annual growth was faster than any of the G7 economies—300,000 new jobs were created last year, the strongest growth since 2006. We are seeing strong growth and strong progress, but we need continued innovation to support it. (Time expired)