Mr KNIGHT - 2006-10-10
A benefit of economic growth and development is the expansion of employment opportunities. Are Territorians receiving more employment opportunities as a result of the strong Territory economic growth which is bucking the national trends?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. It is a living truth for us that a strong economy such as we have must provide as many spin-offs for the people living in the Territory as possibly can. We are determined that employment and employment opportunities will be a very strong outcome of that economic growth that we have been experiencing over the last couple of years. We are producing very strong job growth. We have probably gone beyond that narrow skills shortage area to that of labour shortage right across the board. When you talk to businesses and employers, there is much evidence of that in the community.
Later this week, the Australian Bureau of Statistics will produce their unemployment and employment figures in the Labour Force Series. While we always expect some bounce around in the ABS figures, the overall trend in employment numbers is upward. The figures will probably show there are now well over 100 000 people employed in the Territory. Those official figures, of course, do not include the Defence Forces, which will contribute another 10 000 and push the figure to over 110 000.
Our participation rate is also extremely high at over 71%, against the national figure of just 65%, reflecting in part the youthful make up of the Northern Territory population. The most recent ANZ Job Series also shows continuing strong forward demand for workers - in the year to September, 2.5% growth in job advertisements compared to the previous year. This is modest in itself, but you must remember, last year was a big year, as was the year before, so we already have a very high base there, and continuing to grow against the high base of the last couple of years. That 2.5% growth in job advertisements stands in stark contrast to the national figure of negative 5.8%. So, negative 5.8% on a national average; plus 2.5% for the Territory.
For the month of September 2006 against September 2005, there was an increase of 12% compared to negative 4% nationally. Both Access Economics and Treasury predict this ongoing growth in employment numbers well through the medium term. Employment is predicted to grow at 2% over the next few years. Access Economics put that growth figure at 2.6% for the next five years. My colleague, the Minister for Employment, Education and Training, is concentrating on how best the government can assist business and employers to train and improve the skill levels of Territory workers to take up the many job opportunities that this growth is offering.
I can assure the House that Territorians across the board are experiencing a benefit from the economic growth of the Territory through the significantly improved employment opportunities and options.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. It is a living truth for us that a strong economy such as we have must provide as many spin-offs for the people living in the Territory as possibly can. We are determined that employment and employment opportunities will be a very strong outcome of that economic growth that we have been experiencing over the last couple of years. We are producing very strong job growth. We have probably gone beyond that narrow skills shortage area to that of labour shortage right across the board. When you talk to businesses and employers, there is much evidence of that in the community.
Later this week, the Australian Bureau of Statistics will produce their unemployment and employment figures in the Labour Force Series. While we always expect some bounce around in the ABS figures, the overall trend in employment numbers is upward. The figures will probably show there are now well over 100 000 people employed in the Territory. Those official figures, of course, do not include the Defence Forces, which will contribute another 10 000 and push the figure to over 110 000.
Our participation rate is also extremely high at over 71%, against the national figure of just 65%, reflecting in part the youthful make up of the Northern Territory population. The most recent ANZ Job Series also shows continuing strong forward demand for workers - in the year to September, 2.5% growth in job advertisements compared to the previous year. This is modest in itself, but you must remember, last year was a big year, as was the year before, so we already have a very high base there, and continuing to grow against the high base of the last couple of years. That 2.5% growth in job advertisements stands in stark contrast to the national figure of negative 5.8%. So, negative 5.8% on a national average; plus 2.5% for the Territory.
For the month of September 2006 against September 2005, there was an increase of 12% compared to negative 4% nationally. Both Access Economics and Treasury predict this ongoing growth in employment numbers well through the medium term. Employment is predicted to grow at 2% over the next few years. Access Economics put that growth figure at 2.6% for the next five years. My colleague, the Minister for Employment, Education and Training, is concentrating on how best the government can assist business and employers to train and improve the skill levels of Territory workers to take up the many job opportunities that this growth is offering.
I can assure the House that Territorians across the board are experiencing a benefit from the economic growth of the Territory through the significantly improved employment opportunities and options.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016