Indigenous unemployment slashed
Published Sunday, 27 July, 2008 at 07:30 AM
Treasurer
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
A wide-ranging statistical snapshot of Queensland’s Indigenous population has revealed the state’s Indigenous unemployment rate has substantially decreased since the turn of the century.
Premier Anna Bligh and Treasurer Andrew Fraser today released the Office of Economic and Statistical Research analysis of the state’s Indigenous population which also shows the biggest numbers of Indigenous people live in more highly populated areas including Brisbane, Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns.
Ms Bligh said the data, gleaned from the results of the 2006 Census, showed labour force participation among Indigenous Queenslanders was now at its highest rate on record.
“In fact, Indigenous labour force participation jumped 3.6 per cent to 61.7 per cent between 2001 and 2006,” the Premier said.
“This data shows that we are bridging the gap on Indigenous disadvantage in key areas like unemployment and the current unemployment rate of 13.2 per cent has decreased from 20.1 per cent in 2001.
“In many ways, that is due to State Government initiatives such as the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program which has helped create a level playing field for Queensland’s 127,600 Indigenous residents.”
Key findings of the OESR Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Census Bulletin include:
127,600 people – or 3.3 per cent of the Queensland population - identify as being of Indigenous origin
The majority of Indigenous Queenslanders are Aboriginal (77.4 per cent), 14.4 per cent are Torres Strait Islander and 8.2 per cent are of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin
Queensland’s Indigenous population increased by 13.3 per cent between 2001 and 2006
More than a fifth of the Indigenous population lives in remote and very remote areas of the state
The unemployment rate for Indigenous Queenslanders decreased to 13.2 per cent in 2006 from 20.1 per cent in 2001
The largest employer of Indigenous Queenslanders is the public administration and safety industry which employs about one fifth of both males and females
The median weekly income for Indigenous households is $899
In 2006, 3,463 Indigenous babies were born in Queensland, a 3.7 per cent increase on 2001
Mr Fraser said additionally the report found the Queensland Indigenous population has a very young age structure with a median age of 20 years, considerably lower than the median age of 36 for non-Indigenous Queenslanders.
The Census statistics also reveal that while Indigenous people tend to live in more remote parts of the state, about one third of the Indigenous population lives in the greater Brisbane region.
“But with more than 40 per cent of the Indigenous population living in the Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns regional centres, it’s vital the government continues to work closely with the communities in these areas,” Mr Fraser said.
Mr Fraser said the Census data showed the median age at death for both Indigenous men and women was still considerably younger than for non-Indigenous Queenslanders.
Median life expectancy for Indigenous males is 55.6 years, compared with 76.7 years for non-Indigenous men.
“With the data showing Indigenous males live 21 years less and life expectancy for females is 57 years compared with 83 years for non-Indigenous women, it’s also vital we continue to work to close the mortality gap.
“Through the COAG agenda, the Bligh Government is working to do just that within the next decade.
“A major part of that commitment is to minimise harm from alcohol and drug abuse as a core focus for the government both today and into the future.
“The State Government has committed $66.4 million over the next four years to implement drug and alcohol detoxification and rehabilitation programs and treatment facilities in our Indigenous communities.”
Media Contact: Chris Taylor/Renee Mickelburgh 0419 710 874
Premier Anna Bligh and Treasurer Andrew Fraser today released the Office of Economic and Statistical Research analysis of the state’s Indigenous population which also shows the biggest numbers of Indigenous people live in more highly populated areas including Brisbane, Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns.
Ms Bligh said the data, gleaned from the results of the 2006 Census, showed labour force participation among Indigenous Queenslanders was now at its highest rate on record.
“In fact, Indigenous labour force participation jumped 3.6 per cent to 61.7 per cent between 2001 and 2006,” the Premier said.
“This data shows that we are bridging the gap on Indigenous disadvantage in key areas like unemployment and the current unemployment rate of 13.2 per cent has decreased from 20.1 per cent in 2001.
“In many ways, that is due to State Government initiatives such as the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program which has helped create a level playing field for Queensland’s 127,600 Indigenous residents.”
Key findings of the OESR Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Census Bulletin include:
127,600 people – or 3.3 per cent of the Queensland population - identify as being of Indigenous origin
The majority of Indigenous Queenslanders are Aboriginal (77.4 per cent), 14.4 per cent are Torres Strait Islander and 8.2 per cent are of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin
Queensland’s Indigenous population increased by 13.3 per cent between 2001 and 2006
More than a fifth of the Indigenous population lives in remote and very remote areas of the state
The unemployment rate for Indigenous Queenslanders decreased to 13.2 per cent in 2006 from 20.1 per cent in 2001
The largest employer of Indigenous Queenslanders is the public administration and safety industry which employs about one fifth of both males and females
The median weekly income for Indigenous households is $899
In 2006, 3,463 Indigenous babies were born in Queensland, a 3.7 per cent increase on 2001
Mr Fraser said additionally the report found the Queensland Indigenous population has a very young age structure with a median age of 20 years, considerably lower than the median age of 36 for non-Indigenous Queenslanders.
The Census statistics also reveal that while Indigenous people tend to live in more remote parts of the state, about one third of the Indigenous population lives in the greater Brisbane region.
“But with more than 40 per cent of the Indigenous population living in the Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns regional centres, it’s vital the government continues to work closely with the communities in these areas,” Mr Fraser said.
Mr Fraser said the Census data showed the median age at death for both Indigenous men and women was still considerably younger than for non-Indigenous Queenslanders.
Median life expectancy for Indigenous males is 55.6 years, compared with 76.7 years for non-Indigenous men.
“With the data showing Indigenous males live 21 years less and life expectancy for females is 57 years compared with 83 years for non-Indigenous women, it’s also vital we continue to work to close the mortality gap.
“Through the COAG agenda, the Bligh Government is working to do just that within the next decade.
“A major part of that commitment is to minimise harm from alcohol and drug abuse as a core focus for the government both today and into the future.
“The State Government has committed $66.4 million over the next four years to implement drug and alcohol detoxification and rehabilitation programs and treatment facilities in our Indigenous communities.”
Media Contact: Chris Taylor/Renee Mickelburgh 0419 710 874