The South Australian government has launched an advertising blitz in Melbourne’s CBD, spruiking its business credentials and talking up the local economy.

The large billboards, one of which which includes the slogan “business is better in SA”, have been installed a stone’s throw from the office of Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews.

“When you actually look at the numbers, the differential between the cost of doing business in Victoria versus South Australia is very substantial indeed, particularly when it comes to a range of taxes,” South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas said.

“We want to make sure that’s top of mind of business leaders when they make decisions about how to allocate their capital.”

Mr Andrews has scoffed at the plan and said he was more worried about South Australia stealing Victoria’s GST than its businesses.

“You know if it’s so rosy over there, if it’s such a great place, maybe they don’t need our $672 million worth of GST that we pay them,” he said.

When asked to respond to Mr Andrews’ comments, Mr Malinauskas said the campaign was about promoting South Australia.

“It’s not about diminishing another state’s policies, it’s about being proud of our own,” he said.

Mr Malinauskas said South Australia has a far lower tax regime for business than Victoria.

“We have abolished commercial stamp duty in South Australia,” he said.

“This is a nation-leading reform and we want to capitalise on that, which means we want interstate businesses to know about it.”

The $160,000 campaign has started in Victoria and expected to be extended to other states in the future.