❓ Opposition questions the Premier about rising unemployment figures, suggesting the government's 'Plan for Jobs' is failing. The Premier defends the plan, citing job creation statistics and positive business sentiment.
AnsweredQoN 88Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PLAN FOR JOBS —
UNEMPLOYMENT
88. Dr M.D. NAHAN to the Premier:
Before I begin, I pass on my
thoughts and prayers to the people of the south west who have been impacted
significantly by fires, and thank those first responders working to fight fires
and protect the community. I also acknowledge the year 11 boys from Scotch
College in the gallery.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data
show there are now 97 600 Western Australians out of work. This is more Western
Australians out of work than has been the case at any point in our state's
history, and 10 000 more Western Australians out of work than was the case when
the Premier took office two years ago. Will he now swallow his pride and admit
to the people of Western Australia that Labor's Plan for Jobs is a dud?
UNEMPLOYMENT
88. Dr M.D. NAHAN to the Premier:
Before I begin, I pass on my
thoughts and prayers to the people of the south west who have been impacted
significantly by fires, and thank those first responders working to fight fires
and protect the community. I also acknowledge the year 11 boys from Scotch
College in the gallery.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data
show there are now 97 600 Western Australians out of work. This is more Western
Australians out of work than has been the case at any point in our state's
history, and 10 000 more Western Australians out of work than was the case when
the Premier took office two years ago. Will he now swallow his pride and admit
to the people of Western Australia that Labor's Plan for Jobs is a dud?
AnswerView source ↗
At the outset, I also acknowledge
that there have been significant fires in the south west in the vicinity of
Balingup and Donnybrook. I acknowledge all the people who have been involved in
fighting those fires. I think the Minister for Emergency Services is visiting
at the moment to ensure that the government is monitoring and passing on our
thanks to those people.
In light of an announcement today, I
also take this opportunity in the spirit of bipartisanship, to acknowledge Julie
Bishop, the federal MP for Curtin, and wish her all the best on a long career
and wish her all the best in her future life beyond politics and thank her for
representing Western Australia for the last 20 years.
Obviously, some unemployment figures
came out today. They show that since this government has been in office, 33 000
new jobs have been created in Western Australia, including 24 000 additional
full-time jobs in our state. In 2018, the average annual employment grew by 1.5
per cent—the highest rate in six years.
We have had an increase in the
participation rate, so far more people are looking for work because they have
the confidence to look for work in Western Australia today. There are now 33 000
additional Western Australians with jobs, and most of the new jobs that have
been created in our state are full-time jobs, not part-time jobs. We are
pleased that more people are employed in Western Australia, but we acknowledge,
like everyone, that we need to do more and we need to do better in the future.
That is why we set a target yesterday to create more and more employment in Western
Australia.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members on my
left!
Mr M. McGOWAN : Members will
find that the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in its
surveys has picked up improving business and consumer sentiment in Western Australia.
They will also find in the December 2018 report from the CCI that 35 per cent
of firms in WA expect to increase their workforce. The job vacancy website Seek
had new job advertisements grow by 5.3 per cent in January 2019, the second
strongest in the country.
We do acknowledge, as a government,
that we need to increase employment in Western Australia, but we also
acknowledge that 33 000 additional jobs have been created in our state since we
came to office.
that there have been significant fires in the south west in the vicinity of
Balingup and Donnybrook. I acknowledge all the people who have been involved in
fighting those fires. I think the Minister for Emergency Services is visiting
at the moment to ensure that the government is monitoring and passing on our
thanks to those people.
In light of an announcement today, I
also take this opportunity in the spirit of bipartisanship, to acknowledge Julie
Bishop, the federal MP for Curtin, and wish her all the best on a long career
and wish her all the best in her future life beyond politics and thank her for
representing Western Australia for the last 20 years.
Obviously, some unemployment figures
came out today. They show that since this government has been in office, 33 000
new jobs have been created in Western Australia, including 24 000 additional
full-time jobs in our state. In 2018, the average annual employment grew by 1.5
per cent—the highest rate in six years.
We have had an increase in the
participation rate, so far more people are looking for work because they have
the confidence to look for work in Western Australia today. There are now 33 000
additional Western Australians with jobs, and most of the new jobs that have
been created in our state are full-time jobs, not part-time jobs. We are
pleased that more people are employed in Western Australia, but we acknowledge,
like everyone, that we need to do more and we need to do better in the future.
That is why we set a target yesterday to create more and more employment in Western
Australia.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members on my
left!
Mr M. McGOWAN : Members will
find that the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in its
surveys has picked up improving business and consumer sentiment in Western Australia.
They will also find in the December 2018 report from the CCI that 35 per cent
of firms in WA expect to increase their workforce. The job vacancy website Seek
had new job advertisements grow by 5.3 per cent in January 2019, the second
strongest in the country.
We do acknowledge, as a government,
that we need to increase employment in Western Australia, but we also
acknowledge that 33 000 additional jobs have been created in our state since we
came to office.
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