Another 500 Jobs Gone While Humphries Does Nothing To Stem Jobs Slide

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson on Employment

Media Statement - 12 July 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 500 full-time jobs lost in the last month as the total number of people unemployed, rising for the eighth month in a row, reached 10,100.

"We haven't seen unemployment this high since December 1998, but still Mr Humphries has done nothing to stem the jobs slide.

"Chief Minister Gary Humphries has no answer to the Territory's rising unemployment rate, now 5.7%. 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 8 months, the Chief Minister needs to put forward proposals that will restore flagging business confidence.

"His paralysis on this issue is sending the wrong message to the business community.

"Youth unemployment is climbing again, with 1500 young people unemployed, aggravating young peoples' employment chances as we approach the end of the year with the influx of school leavers.

"The community needs answers - now!

"The Chief Minister is still basking in the warm glow of the Olympics, but that was last September when there were 4,000 more full time jobs in the ACT.

"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.