❓ Mr. McGowan questions the Treasurer on job losses and unemployment figures under the current government. The Treasurer defends the government's economic policies, attributing job losses to the mining sector adjustment and highlighting diversification efforts.
AnsweredQoN 378Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE ECONOMY —
DIVERSITY — EMPLOYMENT
378. Mr M.
McGOWAN to the Treasurer:
I
have a supplementary question. Does the Treasurer regard the loss of 40 500
full-time jobs in the last 16 months, and 15 000 full-time jobs since December,
and 50 000 extra unemployed on his government's watch to be a good
result?
DIVERSITY — EMPLOYMENT
378. Mr M.
McGOWAN to the Treasurer:
I
have a supplementary question. Does the Treasurer regard the loss of 40 500
full-time jobs in the last 16 months, and 15 000 full-time jobs since December,
and 50 000 extra unemployed on his government's watch to be a good
result?
AnswerView source ↗
We
are going through the most difficult adjustment this economy —
Mr M. McGowan : It is a simple question. Is it a good result?
Dr M.D. NAHAN : Let me answer it. I will answer it; not the Leader of the Opposition.
He asks questions; I answer them. Just calm down.
Several
members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGowan : We like having you on your feet.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : I like the Leader of the Opposition asking questions. I like him a lot;
he is an example of what an opposition leader should not be. Every time he and
his mates stand and talk down the economy, especially on television, we know
that we do not want them leading this state.
But
back to the question: tens of thousands of jobs have come out of the mining and
liquefied natural gas sectors. Most of those jobs were created on our watch
because of policies implemented by this government. We created the jobs, and
many of those people are now going back to where they came from in New South
Wales or elsewhere and finding work. Some of them are coming back, but in the
main they are finding work in Western Australia. We have done the hard yards,
as the member for Nedlands outlined, in investing in broadening the base of the
economy in agriculture, tourism and fisheries, and it is paying off. They are
finding work. I tell you what: if the opposition were on this side, the
unemployment rate would certainly be much higher.
are going through the most difficult adjustment this economy —
Mr M. McGowan : It is a simple question. Is it a good result?
Dr M.D. NAHAN : Let me answer it. I will answer it; not the Leader of the Opposition.
He asks questions; I answer them. Just calm down.
Several
members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGowan : We like having you on your feet.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : I like the Leader of the Opposition asking questions. I like him a lot;
he is an example of what an opposition leader should not be. Every time he and
his mates stand and talk down the economy, especially on television, we know
that we do not want them leading this state.
But
back to the question: tens of thousands of jobs have come out of the mining and
liquefied natural gas sectors. Most of those jobs were created on our watch
because of policies implemented by this government. We created the jobs, and
many of those people are now going back to where they came from in New South
Wales or elsewhere and finding work. Some of them are coming back, but in the
main they are finding work in Western Australia. We have done the hard yards,
as the member for Nedlands outlined, in investing in broadening the base of the
economy in agriculture, tourism and fisheries, and it is paying off. They are
finding work. I tell you what: if the opposition were on this side, the
unemployment rate would certainly be much higher.
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