Another 400 Full-Time Jobs Gone - But Still No Plan From Humphries

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson on Employment

Media Statement - 7 June 2001

The paralysis of the Humphries Government on a jobs plan is reflected in the Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures released today according to Labor Shadow Employment Minister Wayne Berry.

The ABS statistics for the ACT show another 400 full-time jobs lost in the last month as the total number of people unemployed, rising for the seventh months in a row, reached 9,500.

"Chief Minister Gary Humphries has no answer to the Territory's rising unemployment rate, now 5.4%. He has ignored repeated calls for a plan to address the problem before it gets out of control.

"There will be a flow on effect of falling employment for the last 7 months, the Chief Minister needs to put forward proposals that will restore flagging business confidence.

"His paralysis on this issue will send the wrong message to the business community.

"Not only has he failed to come up with any answers, he initially rejected my proposal to fill 48 vacancies in the Fire Brigade. He has now reluctantly agreed to fill those vacancies but that will take 15 months.

"The community needs answers - now!

"The Chief Minister does nothing 3,300 full time jobs have disappeared since last September when we were feeling the glow of the Sydney Olympics.

"When the economic cycle was favourable the Liberal Government basked in the warm glow instead of putting in place a plan to deal with the inevitable downturn.

"Instead of managing the Territory's resources to deal with a downturn the government indulged in profligate spending on wild schemes like the Bruce Stadium, the cost of which Canberrans will have to pay for years.

"I fear this mess will be left for an incoming government to face after the Assembly election in October," Mr Berry concluded.