Another 500 Unemployed And Still No Action By Humphries Government

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson on Employment

Media Statement - 9 August 2001

Another month has gone by with 500 more unemployed in the ACT and there is still no sign of any plan from the Humphries Government to stem the flow of jobs, Labor Shadow Employment Minister Wayne Berry said today.

Mr Berry was commenting following the release of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures for July.

"For 10 months full-time employment has been falling - we have lost 5,800 jobs since last September," Mr Berry said.

"For 9 months unemployment has been rising - we now have 10,900 unemployed, 500 more than last month.

"But we have seen no action from the Chief Minister to respond to this problem. I have been calling on him to take action since January - to no avail.

"Last month the Chief Minister talked about a soon-to-be-issued 'action plan' on jobs. This week we were told the Government would be announcing its employment framework soon.

"Chief Minister we needed the plan 6 months ago!

"While the Government has done nothing, the Opposition has been busy focussing on jobs. Over the last 3 years I have taken every opportunity oppose job cuts in areas such as Totalcare and ACT Forests. At the same time I have sought out job opportunities - such as the 50 unfilled positions in the Fire Service.

"Labor has not sat by and waited for the election to come up with policies.

Mr Humphries needs to learn that plans to provide jobs should not be left until a few weeks before the election. We needed that plan last year when predictions of a slowdown were forecast.

"With unemployment now at 6.1%, the highest we have seen since December 1998, we can't wait till November for action," Mr Berry concluded.