Published Thursday, 11 January, 2007 at 01:29 PM
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Qld’s unemployment drops again to a new record low – 4.1%
11 January 2007
Remarkably Queensland has again set yet another record low unemployment level, Acting Premier Anna Bligh said today.
“Today’s outstanding 4.1% figure sits atop yesterday’s triple A Mid Year Review results that point to on-going growth and stability,” said Ms Bligh.
“Queensland created 97,100 jobs across the year to December 2006 - accounting for 35% of all jobs across the nation,” she said.
“With 20% of the nation’s population we continue to delivering more than our share.”
“Over the year to December, the State’s full-time employment increased by 92,100 - which contributed to more than 43% of full-time jobs nationally.
“Last month when Queensland hit its then best-ever monthly unemployment figure of 4.2% most people would have thought a further drop would not have been possible – but we have done it again!
“Today’s 4.1 per cent figure is down a full per centage point on this time last year.
Queensland has now been at or under the 5% figure for more than two years.
“The Beattie Government has well and truly delivered on jobs. And we will do our best to keep that going. We are the jobs factory.
“In the month of December Queensland created 4700 jobs of 11,500 nationally.
“It is also remarkable that our unemployment rate continued to fall despite on-going drought and interest rate rises (May and August).
Mirroring last month’s record, strong economic and employment growth continued to encourage people into the labour force, with the labour force participation rate remaining constant at the historic high of 67.1%.
Meanwhile Ms Bligh said that she was heartened with reports that demand for university places in the key sectors of engineering, health and architecture was up.
“This is important to ensure that the Smart State continues to deliver the right graduates to meet our growing needs.”
“I wish the students well as they begin their tertiary life,” she said.
Media contact: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 6900
Remarkably Queensland has again set yet another record low unemployment level, Acting Premier Anna Bligh said today.
“Today’s outstanding 4.1% figure sits atop yesterday’s triple A Mid Year Review results that point to on-going growth and stability,” said Ms Bligh.
“Queensland created 97,100 jobs across the year to December 2006 - accounting for 35% of all jobs across the nation,” she said.
“With 20% of the nation’s population we continue to delivering more than our share.”
“Over the year to December, the State’s full-time employment increased by 92,100 - which contributed to more than 43% of full-time jobs nationally.
“Last month when Queensland hit its then best-ever monthly unemployment figure of 4.2% most people would have thought a further drop would not have been possible – but we have done it again!
“Today’s 4.1 per cent figure is down a full per centage point on this time last year.
Queensland has now been at or under the 5% figure for more than two years.
“The Beattie Government has well and truly delivered on jobs. And we will do our best to keep that going. We are the jobs factory.
“In the month of December Queensland created 4700 jobs of 11,500 nationally.
“It is also remarkable that our unemployment rate continued to fall despite on-going drought and interest rate rises (May and August).
Mirroring last month’s record, strong economic and employment growth continued to encourage people into the labour force, with the labour force participation rate remaining constant at the historic high of 67.1%.
Meanwhile Ms Bligh said that she was heartened with reports that demand for university places in the key sectors of engineering, health and architecture was up.
“This is important to ensure that the Smart State continues to deliver the right graduates to meet our growing needs.”
“I wish the students well as they begin their tertiary life,” she said.
Media contact: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 6900