Ms WALKER - 2010-10-26
Access Economics’ report out today forecasts the Territory will record the highest jobs growth in the country over the next five years. Can you outline to the House the Territory government’s record on delivering jobs for Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. She represents a very strong, dynamic growth in East Arnhem. Recognising the importance of mining for the Territory, she understands the importance of jobs to families, the aspirations of families in improving and, as the Chief Minister has so appropriately described, getting out of the welfare dependency. Jobs are critical to the growth of the Territory. That is why this Labor government has been absolutely focused on that all-important economic indicator of jobs and the drivers leading to those jobs through education, training and the support programs we put in place for families.
Access Economics has backed the work we are doing with the forecast it has released today. They are forecasting employment growth to average 2.4%, compared to 1.7% nationally. Even Access Economics does not agree with the Henny Penny doom and gloom, whinge and moan of the opposition
The Labor government has a very strong track record of delivering jobs. We have created approximately 27 000 new jobs in the Territory. This represents a 28% boost in job numbers, or 2.8% growth per annum. That is an economy going gangbusters; it is driving forward. The beauty of this is it is not just in the Top End and the growth centres of Darwin and Palmerston, it is in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Nhulunbuy. We are also seeing the growth of our growth towns in the regions; it is across the Territory.
In the past year, to September, we have seen nearly 6000 new jobs created. Many of these jobs have been supported by that all-important decision we made, quite deliberately, to support, through capital investment, the infrastructure record spend in the Territory as a result of the global financial crisis and of slowing private investment. No economic indicator can represent the strength of the Territory greater than jobs growth. It is significant. It gives families an opportunity and a better life in the Territory. We have a great place. We have our social challenges, and without supporting jobs, we are not going to climb out of those social challenges. The work we are doing in Alice Springs with the transformation plan is significant.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. She represents a very strong, dynamic growth in East Arnhem. Recognising the importance of mining for the Territory, she understands the importance of jobs to families, the aspirations of families in improving and, as the Chief Minister has so appropriately described, getting out of the welfare dependency. Jobs are critical to the growth of the Territory. That is why this Labor government has been absolutely focused on that all-important economic indicator of jobs and the drivers leading to those jobs through education, training and the support programs we put in place for families.
Access Economics has backed the work we are doing with the forecast it has released today. They are forecasting employment growth to average 2.4%, compared to 1.7% nationally. Even Access Economics does not agree with the Henny Penny doom and gloom, whinge and moan of the opposition
The Labor government has a very strong track record of delivering jobs. We have created approximately 27 000 new jobs in the Territory. This represents a 28% boost in job numbers, or 2.8% growth per annum. That is an economy going gangbusters; it is driving forward. The beauty of this is it is not just in the Top End and the growth centres of Darwin and Palmerston, it is in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Nhulunbuy. We are also seeing the growth of our growth towns in the regions; it is across the Territory.
In the past year, to September, we have seen nearly 6000 new jobs created. Many of these jobs have been supported by that all-important decision we made, quite deliberately, to support, through capital investment, the infrastructure record spend in the Territory as a result of the global financial crisis and of slowing private investment. No economic indicator can represent the strength of the Territory greater than jobs growth. It is significant. It gives families an opportunity and a better life in the Territory. We have a great place. We have our social challenges, and without supporting jobs, we are not going to climb out of those social challenges. The work we are doing in Alice Springs with the transformation plan is significant.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016