Ms WALKER - 2008-09-16
Unemployment figures were released last week across Australia. Can you inform the House how the Territory fared compared to the rest of Australia?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Nhulunbuy. The Territory’s unemployment rate is at a record 2.6%. This is the lowest in our nation, and the lowest on record in the Territory’s history. It is a remarkable achievement of which all Territorians can justifiably be proud. The unemployment rate is not just an economic indicator. We believe it is also a very important social indicator. The more people with jobs, the better it is for everybody in our society.
When we came to government, unemployment was around 7% and heading upwards. People and businesses were leaving the Territory in droves. With our commitment to turning around the economy, supporting business and training young Territorians, unemployment is now trending down, and has been since 2001, to the record low of 2.6% that we have just received.
Record unemployment is clearly good news. However, our booming economy does bring challenges. There is a worker shortage, both skilled and unskilled. We are working hard on these challenges, with a record number of people in training, and interstate job shows, and a new workforce unit.
We will continue to focus on training and job opportunities, particularly for our Indigenous Territorians, so that, right across our regions, people will benefit from this strong economic growth, delivering skill sets that we believe can underpin sustained growth. The Henderson government will continue to manage our economy to ensure that all Territorians can benefit.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question from the member for Nhulunbuy. The Territory’s unemployment rate is at a record 2.6%. This is the lowest in our nation, and the lowest on record in the Territory’s history. It is a remarkable achievement of which all Territorians can justifiably be proud. The unemployment rate is not just an economic indicator. We believe it is also a very important social indicator. The more people with jobs, the better it is for everybody in our society.
When we came to government, unemployment was around 7% and heading upwards. People and businesses were leaving the Territory in droves. With our commitment to turning around the economy, supporting business and training young Territorians, unemployment is now trending down, and has been since 2001, to the record low of 2.6% that we have just received.
Record unemployment is clearly good news. However, our booming economy does bring challenges. There is a worker shortage, both skilled and unskilled. We are working hard on these challenges, with a record number of people in training, and interstate job shows, and a new workforce unit.
We will continue to focus on training and job opportunities, particularly for our Indigenous Territorians, so that, right across our regions, people will benefit from this strong economic growth, delivering skill sets that we believe can underpin sustained growth. The Henderson government will continue to manage our economy to ensure that all Territorians can benefit.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016