Townsville leads Queensland for cutting number of unemployed

Labour force figures released today show that Townsville continues to lead the state in reducing unemployment.

Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke said the latest ABS regional employment data shows the city enjoyed Queensland’s largest annual percentage point unemployment rate decrease in March.

Townsville’s unemployment rate is now 8.5%. The fall of 2.8 percentage points year on year is better than Queensland’s other job creation hot spots Mackay (down 1.9 percentage points), Brisbane East (down 1.5ppts) and Cairns (down 1.3pps).

“Analysis shows that while labour market conditions in the region remain challenging, the improvement in the resources sector is helping to turn those conditions around,” she said.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said an additional 10,700 Townsville residents had jobs in March 2018 than in March 2017.

“When you consider what that means for families and for the local economy, that’s a great result,” he said.

“It means the Palaszczuk Government’s emphasis on job creation is working.”

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said the latest data had also shown a very welcome reduction in youth unemployment in the region.

“I am very pleased that the data also shows a 3.5% year on year fall in youth unemployment in Townsville.

“We know there is still work to be done to help our young people find work, but we are moving in the right direction,” he said.

Minister for Employment Shannon Fentiman said it was programs like Back to Work and Skilling Queenslanders for Work that contributed to the region’s growing number of new jobs.

“This is great news for Townsville and it’s fantastic to see programs like Back to Work have assisted more than 2,000 north Queenslanders into work with our investment of more than $16.5 million,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Skilling Queenslanders for Work has been a valuable contributor to Queensland’s nation leading job growth with more than 1,000 people getting into work or go onto further training in Townsville alone.”

ENDS

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