Employment on the up again in Queensland

Published Thursday, 06 August, 2015 at 03:16 PM

Treasurer, Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Curtis Pitt

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force data shows Queensland added a total of 3,600 jobs in July.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt said this was a positive indication of growing confidence.

“Despite economic headwinds, Queensland’s Labour Market has again stayed strong,” Mr Pitt said.

“In total the ABS shows an additional 3,600 jobs created last month; 3,300 of those were part-time jobs with another 300 full-time jobs coming on line.

“In trend terms since February 20,400 jobs have been created in Queensland, that’s more than 130 jobs each day on average since the Palaszczuk Government took office.

"The latest ABS data shows Queensland’s trend unemployment rate fell to 6.3 per cent from a revised June figure of 6.4 per cent.”

The central focus of last month’s Budget was jobs, with $1.6 billion invested in the Working Queensland package and more frontline services to be delivered over the next four years with up to 4,000 new graduate nurse places, 875 new teachers and 266 new police.

Mr Pitt said taking a fiscally and socially responsible approach to Budget planning had been welcomed by business, industry, community and union groups alike.

“The Budget’s $10.105 billion capital investment program will directly support 27,500 jobs,” Mr Pitt said.

“After years of instability and damaged confidence under the LNP, it’s clear optimism is being restored by the Palaszczuk Government’s responsible measured Budget approach.

“Month-on-month Queensland’ jobs figures have consistently reflected growing economic confidence in our state.

“I’ve repeatedly said since taking office that lowering unemployment and increasing workplace participation will be one of the key challenges we face this term.

“Since the Palaszczuk Government came to power there has been an increase each month in full-time jobs.

“Contrast that with the LNP Government which cost Queensland six full-time jobs each and every day they were in office and it’s clear that there’s growing cause for confidence in our state.”

 

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NOTE: In relation to seasonally adjusted labour force figures the ABS has re-stated its previous advice that changes in their methodology have resulted in instability in these figures and that it will be at least three years until these seasonally adjusted data can be measured with a high degree of certainty. This underscores the importance of continuing to use trend figures when referring to labour force data in Queensland. Advice from the ABS in relation to this matter can be found at: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/6202.0Main%20Features4Jul%202015?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=6202.0&issue=Jul%202015&num=&view