Published Sunday, 10 June, 2007 at 02:30 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
QUEENSLANDERS HAVE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: PREMIER
With a stronger than ever investment and jobs outlook, and Queenslanders living longer – and enjoying it, Premier Peter Beattie said the Smart State stood out as the best place on earth.
As Queensland Week draws to a close today, Mr Beattie said it was important to look to the future with optimism.
“The State economy continues to expand at a faster pace than the national average, with forecasts showing a 5 1/2% growth rate in 2006-07 and a further 5% in 2007-08,” Mr Beattie said.
“This will be the 12th consecutive year Queensland has outperformed the nation,” he said.
“With stronger economic growth comes greater job opportunities and Queensland’s employment grew by 5.1% over the year to May 2007 compared with the national rate of just 2.8%,” he said.
“Queensland created 104,300 new jobs over the past year, accounting for a whopping total of 37% of all new jobs in Australia during this period.
“At the same time, Queensland’s unemployment rate has been below the national rate for almost three years.”
Mr Beattie said that wasn’t all. Life expectancy has increased, with a baby boy born in Queensland today expected to live to 78.3 years of age compared with 75.1 a decade ago.
He said a baby girl born in Queensland today could expect to beat that, living to an average of 83.2 years compared to 81 a decade ago.
“Not only is life expectancy going to reflect that Queenslanders are being encouraged to quit smoking and eat more fruit and vegetables and get active, but they will continue to enjoy an even fuller, healthier life and for longer,” said the Premier.
“We also have a rich multi-cultural and decentralised outlook, with the 2005 statistics showing 54% of Queenslanders live outside the Brisbane Statistical Division,” he said.
“Another bonus is more and more Queenslanders are getting involved in their communities with 35.7% of Queenslanders involved in voluntary work in the past year compared to the national average of 34.4%.
“Queenslanders have a lot to smile about – we are living in the best place on earth.”
Media Contact: Premier's Office 07 3224 4500
As Queensland Week draws to a close today, Mr Beattie said it was important to look to the future with optimism.
“The State economy continues to expand at a faster pace than the national average, with forecasts showing a 5 1/2% growth rate in 2006-07 and a further 5% in 2007-08,” Mr Beattie said.
“This will be the 12th consecutive year Queensland has outperformed the nation,” he said.
“With stronger economic growth comes greater job opportunities and Queensland’s employment grew by 5.1% over the year to May 2007 compared with the national rate of just 2.8%,” he said.
“Queensland created 104,300 new jobs over the past year, accounting for a whopping total of 37% of all new jobs in Australia during this period.
“At the same time, Queensland’s unemployment rate has been below the national rate for almost three years.”
Mr Beattie said that wasn’t all. Life expectancy has increased, with a baby boy born in Queensland today expected to live to 78.3 years of age compared with 75.1 a decade ago.
He said a baby girl born in Queensland today could expect to beat that, living to an average of 83.2 years compared to 81 a decade ago.
“Not only is life expectancy going to reflect that Queenslanders are being encouraged to quit smoking and eat more fruit and vegetables and get active, but they will continue to enjoy an even fuller, healthier life and for longer,” said the Premier.
“We also have a rich multi-cultural and decentralised outlook, with the 2005 statistics showing 54% of Queenslanders live outside the Brisbane Statistical Division,” he said.
“Another bonus is more and more Queenslanders are getting involved in their communities with 35.7% of Queenslanders involved in voluntary work in the past year compared to the national average of 34.4%.
“Queenslanders have a lot to smile about – we are living in the best place on earth.”
Media Contact: Premier's Office 07 3224 4500