Humphries Action Plan On Jobs - Six Months Too Late And Still Under Wraps

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson on Employment

Media Statement - 13 July 2001

Labor Shadow Employment Minister Wayne Berry has called for the immediate release of Gary Humphries' secret action plan on jobs in the ACT.

Mr Berry's call follows today's revelation that the ACT Government is keeping its jobs action plan under wraps until closer to the election.

"With the unemployed climbing to 10,100 for the first time since 1998 and seven months of rising unemployment it's hard to work out why the government wants to keep its plan secret for a while longer," Mr berry said.

"I've been calling for this plan for over 6 months and I can't imagine any plan that will make up for the ground lost through Gary Humphries' inaction.

"Any plan will be coming from well behind now that Gary 'Rip Van Winkel' Humphries has finally woken up to the fact something has to be done.

"While all the pundits have been suggesting problems Gary Humphries has been paralysed and in denial over the obvious emerging unemployment problem in the ACT as 4000 full time jobs disappeared.

"And why keep the long awaited plan under wraps any longer, or is this just more under-graduate politicking Gary Humphries style?

"In the last six months while calling on the Chief Minister to address rising unemployment I put forward a plan from Opposition which forced the government to fill 50 jobs, now it's time for the Government to act.

"I call on the Chief Minister to immediately release his plan to deal with the developing unemployment crisis in the ACT and tell us how he is going to make up for his long period of inaction," Mr Berry concluded.