Youth Unemployment On The Rise - But Still No Plan

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson on Employment

Media Statement - 12 April 2001

The release of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures for March highlight the failure of the Humphries' Government to develop a plan to address the ACT's emerging jobs slowdown, Labor Shadow Employment Minister Wayne Berry said today.

"After months of warnings found in the ANZ job advertisement series and the ABS Labour Force series we still have nothing from the Humphries Government.

"Today's figures show that while the unemployment rate is steady at 4.8% after rising over the last 6 months, there are 200 fewer full-time jobs.

"And the most disturbing aspect today's figures is the increase in youth unemployment. There are now 1500 people aged 15-19 looking for full time work. At 31.8% this is the highest level in over two years.

"2100 full time jobs have been lost since last September, but Gary Humphries has done nothing to stem the fall in full time jobs. Now we have rising youth unemployment again.

"Despite repeated calls for proposals to deal with this emerging problem we have had nothing but silence from Gary Humphries.

"This week after the release of the ANZ job advertisement series showing the ACT had the second highest fall in the country, I identified over 40 unfilled vacancies in the ACT Fire Brigade, but the Government should have seen these jobs filled long ago.

"How long do we have to wait for a response from Gary Humphries," Mr Berry concluded.