Regional and youth unemployment data highlights jobs challenge

Regional and youth labour force data released today by the ABS highlight the importance of the Palaszczuk Government’s jobs agenda, Treasurer and Minister for Employment Curtis Pitt said.

Today’s ABS regional jobs data for April shows that unemployment continues to present growth challenges for the Queensland economy.

“These figures show exactly why Queensland needs a government that’s committed to job creation,” Mr Pitt said.

“Queenslanders paid a high price for Campbell Newman’s job cuts, with young people and those in the regions in particular bearing the brunt of his slash and burn tactics.

“However, it was pleasing to see the clear focus in Tuesday night’s Federal Budget on tackling youth unemployment.

“Labor is committed to getting more Queenslanders back to work and we’re doing that through our Working Queensland plan.

“Our strategy focuses on job-creating projects and growing the economy, which is the best way to tackle unemployment and provide more employment opportunities in the regions.”

According to ABS regional labour force data for April, there are some encouraging trends in employment growth in parts of the State.

“When compared with the previous 12-month period, the Gold Coast added an extra 14,100 jobs in the year to April 2015, with the Moreton Bay region adding 12,300 jobs during the same period,” Mr Pitt said.

“In Greater Brisbane an extra 10,100 jobs were created, and there are also positive signs in Townsville, with 2,500 more jobs added over the year to April.”

Mr Pitt said youth unemployment remained a challenge in regional areas.

“Statewide, youth unemployment sat at 14.3 per cent in April, but there are pockets of Queensland where the rate is even higher,” he said.

“There is high youth unemployment in Cairns (20.8 per cent), Wide Bay (20.6 per cent), Ipswich (17.2 per cent), and Logan/Beaudesert (16.4 per cent).

“To give young Queenslanders the job opportunities they deserve, the Palaszczuk Government has reinstated a payroll tax rebate for apprentices and trainees.

“This is part of a comprehensive employment strategy to tackle unemployment and create more jobs.

“It includes supporting up to 32,000 Queenslanders back into a job – particularly the young and long-term unemployed – by investing $240 Million in Skilling Queenslanders For Work.

“To grow the knowledge-based jobs of the future we are also investing in Advance Queensland research fellowships.”

Mr Pitt said said there was a clear trend towards full-time employment growth in some parts of Queensland.

“Overall, trend full-time employment rose 5,300 in Queensland in April 2015, while the trend unemployment rate remained steady at 6.6 per cent,” he said.

“Labor will continue to fight for jobs, growth and economic development.”

Media contact: Martin Philip 0457 919 548