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Mr PAUL GIBSON: My question is addressed to the Premier. How is the Government attracting more investment and jobs to New South Wales?
Mr MORRIS IEMMA: Tonight this year's first State of Origin clash takes place at Sydney's great Olympic icon—Telstra Stadium. The House sends one united message to Graham Murray, Danny Buderus and the boys: "Crush those cane toads! And make Peter Beattie eat humble pie." In New South Wales the Government places business and investment as the number one priority. As far as this Government is concerned, when it comes to investment it is game on. Tonight the Government will launch an aggressive campaign to win jobs and growth for New South Wales—a message that it will sell to Australia and the world.
The Government will launch a "New South Wales Means Business" campaign to promote the strengths and opportunities of Australia's premier economy. Queensland is crudely attempting to lure our people and businesses away. Well, it can try all it likes but the fact is that if someone wants to turbo-charge their career, they move to Sydney. If someone wants to do business on the world stage, they set up in New South Wales. That is because New South Wales is the nation's leading economy, the place where Australia meets the world.
New South Wales is the place that global firms such as IBM, Amex, State Street, Reuters and Deutsche Bank have all chosen to call home. And New South Wales is the preferred destination for 19 per cent of Australia's State-sponsored business migrants, up from just 2 per cent in 2004 to the current 3.5 per cent. The campaign will tell the rest of Australia and the world that New South Wales is number one, and is intent on staying number one. I strongly hold the view—
Mr Brad Hazzard: Your team is still in the dressing sheds. No chance!
Mr MORRIS IEMMA: There he goes again.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member for Wakehurst will come to order.
[Interruption]
Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Wakehurst to order for the second time.
Mr MORRIS IEMMA: The honourable member for Wakehurst will not get out of the starter's box when Wendy Harmer gets going. It will be Whirlwind Wendy all the way to Wakehurst. The Government's campaign starts during tonight's State of Origin game. In August we will take the fight to Queensland and Victoria and the world. The detail of the campaign will be rolled out in coming months. But I can advise today that it will include a more aggressive drive for talent and skills. Investment bankers in New York do not pine wistfully for the muddy banks of the Yarra or the tropical torpor of Brisbane. If they want a change they will go from Manhattan to Sydney, and that is the message we will strongly and confidently sell. New South Wales is Australia's most sophisticated and globalised economy. The opportunities, the excitement, the energy are here. And when it comes to attracting business and talent, New South Wales means business. Game on!