The Treasurer’s admission comes on the back of new Bureau of Statistics figures which show business investment has declined in SA while growing in every other state and territory.

SA’s growth was the lowest of all states except NSW. SA’s business investment fell by 4.5 per cent from the June quarter 2007 to the June quarter 2008. SA was the only state not to record positive business investment growth in the last 12 months.

“Our economy is strong,” responded the Treasurer. But the Treasurer floundered when asked on ABC radio what the state’s growth was at the moment.

“I don’t have the figure in front of me, I don’t carry that figure in my back pocket,” Mr Foley said.

Presenter Matthew Abraham then asked if SA was anywhere near the national average.

“I can’t tell you that off the top of my head,” the South Australian Treasurer said.

Opposition Leader Martin Hamilton-Smith seized on the gaffe.

“Do you trust Kevin Foley with our economic future? I don’t,” he said.

The Treasurer defended growth targets for exports that were not being met.

“Well for a start the State Strategic Plan is a goal. We’ve always said that it is a very tough target."