ACT Unemployment Rate Rising - Carnell Sits On Her Hands

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson on Employment

Media Statement - 13 July 2000

The Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures for June confirm a concerning trend in the ACT labour market, Labor Shadow Employment Minister Wayne Berry said today.

"As we watch our population continue to grow by 800 this month we see that there are no new jobs. This means that our unemployment has grown again this month to 5.6% - 200 more people out looking for work, this month alone.

"The population has increased by 4,200 in the last 6 months but in the same period there has been only 800 new jobs. This month there are no new jobs.

"This is concerning as we come up to the combination of the impact of the GST and the looming post Olympics period. Economists have warned that our economy will slow in the next 6-12 months as a result of the combined effects of the GST and the wind-down in Olympic activity.

"At the same time business confidence is slipping with employers anticipating the slowdown and we can expect to see fewer jobs created.

"What in the much vaunted 2000 Carnell budget has been designed to deal with this emerging problem? Where does the Chief Minister's 'building social capital' address the slowdown?

"This calls for new strategies from the Carnell Government to ensure that the ACT does not slip into decline again. I call on the Chief Minister to outline her strategy to head off the slowdown," Mr Berry concluded.