Mr GUNNER - 2009-05-07
Can you please inform the House about the recently released employment data and what part Budget 2009-10 will play in maintaining these results?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his very good question. Labour force figures released earlier today show the Territory’s unemployment rate remains steady at 4.1%, and these are with the revised March figures. I also note that the Rudd government’s efforts to protect the national economy are also having an effect, with the national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also dropping.
This is a very heartening result for the Territory. It shows the Territory economy remains strong despite the global economic conditions, Territory companies are still hiring, and the Territory construction sector is getting a solid flow of work. Annual growth in Territory employment was the highest of all jurisdictions, and remains above the national rate; the estimated number of Territorians with jobs increased by 700 in April. That is 700 more Territorians who got a job last month and 6100 more than April 2008
Our employment participation rate also rose to 74.9%. This is a rise through the year of 2.4% - again, the highest rate of all jurisdictions and well above the national average of 65.4%. These are very encouraging figures, but they reinforce the absolute need to act now to protect Territory jobs against a very difficult national and international economic climate.
The government is implementing its record breaking $1.3bn infrastructure spend because we recognise that behind these employment numbers are hard-working Territorians - young people in their first job out of school, and mums and dads who need to pay their mortgage and get food on the table for their children.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his very good question. Labour force figures released earlier today show the Territory’s unemployment rate remains steady at 4.1%, and these are with the revised March figures. I also note that the Rudd government’s efforts to protect the national economy are also having an effect, with the national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also dropping.
This is a very heartening result for the Territory. It shows the Territory economy remains strong despite the global economic conditions, Territory companies are still hiring, and the Territory construction sector is getting a solid flow of work. Annual growth in Territory employment was the highest of all jurisdictions, and remains above the national rate; the estimated number of Territorians with jobs increased by 700 in April. That is 700 more Territorians who got a job last month and 6100 more than April 2008
Our employment participation rate also rose to 74.9%. This is a rise through the year of 2.4% - again, the highest rate of all jurisdictions and well above the national average of 65.4%. These are very encouraging figures, but they reinforce the absolute need to act now to protect Territory jobs against a very difficult national and international economic climate.
The government is implementing its record breaking $1.3bn infrastructure spend because we recognise that behind these employment numbers are hard-working Territorians - young people in their first job out of school, and mums and dads who need to pay their mortgage and get food on the table for their children.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016