❓ Premier Gallop answers a question about WA's unemployment rate, highlighting positive economic indicators and criticising the opposition's negativity. He cites falling unemployment, strong employment growth, and high participation rates.
AnsweredQoN 442Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Can the Premier provide the House with information about the unemployment rate? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
I can. It is interesting - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Opposition is very chirpy today. Its new statesman-like approach to the Parliament lasted one day. I am happy to say that not only are our economic forecasts very strong, but also our employment figures are strong. In January 2003 the unemployment rate in Western Australia fell to six per cent, from 6.4 per cent in December. Importantly, employment is growing at strong levels. Total employment in Western Australia grew by 2.2 per cent over the year ending January 2003, reaching a record high in January with 984 500 people in employment. Full-time employment grew by 1.2 per cent last month, reflecting the healthy economic conditions. The participation rate in our State of 67.5 per cent is the highest since 1995 and remains by far the highest of all the States. Job prospects are also strong with the ANZ job series showing strong growth of 20.3 per cent in the number of job advertisements in January 2003. The Government has set a target to create 125 000 new jobs over the next five years in Western Australia. Our training policies are in place to provide the skilled labour to meet that target and our infrastructure policies are in place to attract investment to the State. We are constantly making sure that the export potential of our State is realised. However, what do we get from the Opposition in this context? We get total negativity. That negativity is a matter of concern for not only the people of Western Australia generally but also the Opposition. Over the past few weeks, the member for Ningaloo has applauded the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture - what a great job he is doing! As I indicated in my earlier statement, he has just come back from the Middle East again where he has been promoting Western Australian agriculture and increased exports to that region. The Opposition has not yet worked out that in order to be an effective Opposition it should not oppose everything. I am pleased that the member for Vasse shares that point of view. The member for Vasse stated in a local south west newspaper that sections of the party were not giving the member for Ningaloo the support that he deserved. He said that there are people within the party who believe that they must oppose everything when in opposition, no matter what. I wonder who those people in the Opposition are. The prime suspects are the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I think they are the people to whom the member for Vasse referred. The Opposition should get real. Its members are living in a great State that has great potential and prospects. We should work together to build on that potential.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I can. It is interesting - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Opposition is very chirpy today. Its new statesman-like approach to the Parliament lasted one day. I am happy to say that not only are our economic forecasts very strong, but also our employment figures are strong. In January 2003 the unemployment rate in Western Australia fell to six per cent, from 6.4 per cent in December. Importantly, employment is growing at strong levels. Total employment in Western Australia grew by 2.2 per cent over the year ending January 2003, reaching a record high in January with 984 500 people in employment. Full-time employment grew by 1.2 per cent last month, reflecting the healthy economic conditions. The participation rate in our State of 67.5 per cent is the highest since 1995 and remains by far the highest of all the States. Job prospects are also strong with the ANZ job series showing strong growth of 20.3 per cent in the number of job advertisements in January 2003. The Government has set a target to create 125 000 new jobs over the next five years in Western Australia. Our training policies are in place to provide the skilled labour to meet that target and our infrastructure policies are in place to attract investment to the State. We are constantly making sure that the export potential of our State is realised. However, what do we get from the Opposition in this context? We get total negativity. That negativity is a matter of concern for not only the people of Western Australia generally but also the Opposition. Over the past few weeks, the member for Ningaloo has applauded the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture - what a great job he is doing! As I indicated in my earlier statement, he has just come back from the Middle East again where he has been promoting Western Australian agriculture and increased exports to that region. The Opposition has not yet worked out that in order to be an effective Opposition it should not oppose everything. I am pleased that the member for Vasse shares that point of view. The member for Vasse stated in a local south west newspaper that sections of the party were not giving the member for Ningaloo the support that he deserved. He said that there are people within the party who believe that they must oppose everything when in opposition, no matter what. I wonder who those people in the Opposition are. The prime suspects are the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I think they are the people to whom the member for Vasse referred. The Opposition should get real. Its members are living in a great State that has great potential and prospects. We should work together to build on that potential.
I can. It is interesting - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Opposition is very chirpy today. Its new statesman-like approach to the Parliament lasted one day. I am happy to say that not only are our economic forecasts very strong, but also our employment figures are strong. In January 2003 the unemployment rate in Western Australia fell to six per cent, from 6.4 per cent in December. Importantly, employment is growing at strong levels. Total employment in Western Australia grew by 2.2 per cent over the year ending January 2003, reaching a record high in January with 984 500 people in employment. Full-time employment grew by 1.2 per cent last month, reflecting the healthy economic conditions. The participation rate in our State of 67.5 per cent is the highest since 1995 and remains by far the highest of all the States. Job prospects are also strong with the ANZ job series showing strong growth of 20.3 per cent in the number of job advertisements in January 2003. The Government has set a target to create 125 000 new jobs over the next five years in Western Australia. Our training policies are in place to provide the skilled labour to meet that target and our infrastructure policies are in place to attract investment to the State. We are constantly making sure that the export potential of our State is realised. However, what do we get from the Opposition in this context? We get total negativity. That negativity is a matter of concern for not only the people of Western Australia generally but also the Opposition. Over the past few weeks, the member for Ningaloo has applauded the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture - what a great job he is doing! As I indicated in my earlier statement, he has just come back from the Middle East again where he has been promoting Western Australian agriculture and increased exports to that region. The Opposition has not yet worked out that in order to be an effective Opposition it should not oppose everything. I am pleased that the member for Vasse shares that point of view. The member for Vasse stated in a local south west newspaper that sections of the party were not giving the member for Ningaloo the support that he deserved. He said that there are people within the party who believe that they must oppose everything when in opposition, no matter what. I wonder who those people in the Opposition are. The prime suspects are the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I think they are the people to whom the member for Vasse referred. The Opposition should get real. Its members are living in a great State that has great potential and prospects. We should work together to build on that potential.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Opposition is very chirpy today. Its new statesman-like approach to the Parliament lasted one day. I am happy to say that not only are our economic forecasts very strong, but also our employment figures are strong. In January 2003 the unemployment rate in Western Australia fell to six per cent, from 6.4 per cent in December. Importantly, employment is growing at strong levels. Total employment in Western Australia grew by 2.2 per cent over the year ending January 2003, reaching a record high in January with 984 500 people in employment. Full-time employment grew by 1.2 per cent last month, reflecting the healthy economic conditions. The participation rate in our State of 67.5 per cent is the highest since 1995 and remains by far the highest of all the States. Job prospects are also strong with the ANZ job series showing strong growth of 20.3 per cent in the number of job advertisements in January 2003. The Government has set a target to create 125 000 new jobs over the next five years in Western Australia. Our training policies are in place to provide the skilled labour to meet that target and our infrastructure policies are in place to attract investment to the State. We are constantly making sure that the export potential of our State is realised. However, what do we get from the Opposition in this context? We get total negativity. That negativity is a matter of concern for not only the people of Western Australia generally but also the Opposition. Over the past few weeks, the member for Ningaloo has applauded the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture - what a great job he is doing! As I indicated in my earlier statement, he has just come back from the Middle East again where he has been promoting Western Australian agriculture and increased exports to that region. The Opposition has not yet worked out that in order to be an effective Opposition it should not oppose everything. I am pleased that the member for Vasse shares that point of view. The member for Vasse stated in a local south west newspaper that sections of the party were not giving the member for Ningaloo the support that he deserved. He said that there are people within the party who believe that they must oppose everything when in opposition, no matter what. I wonder who those people in the Opposition are. The prime suspects are the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I think they are the people to whom the member for Vasse referred. The Opposition should get real. Its members are living in a great State that has great potential and prospects. We should work together to build on that potential.
The SPEAKER: Members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Opposition is very chirpy today. Its new statesman-like approach to the Parliament lasted one day. I am happy to say that not only are our economic forecasts very strong, but also our employment figures are strong. In January 2003 the unemployment rate in Western Australia fell to six per cent, from 6.4 per cent in December. Importantly, employment is growing at strong levels. Total employment in Western Australia grew by 2.2 per cent over the year ending January 2003, reaching a record high in January with 984 500 people in employment. Full-time employment grew by 1.2 per cent last month, reflecting the healthy economic conditions. The participation rate in our State of 67.5 per cent is the highest since 1995 and remains by far the highest of all the States. Job prospects are also strong with the ANZ job series showing strong growth of 20.3 per cent in the number of job advertisements in January 2003. The Government has set a target to create 125 000 new jobs over the next five years in Western Australia. Our training policies are in place to provide the skilled labour to meet that target and our infrastructure policies are in place to attract investment to the State. We are constantly making sure that the export potential of our State is realised. However, what do we get from the Opposition in this context? We get total negativity. That negativity is a matter of concern for not only the people of Western Australia generally but also the Opposition. Over the past few weeks, the member for Ningaloo has applauded the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture - what a great job he is doing! As I indicated in my earlier statement, he has just come back from the Middle East again where he has been promoting Western Australian agriculture and increased exports to that region. The Opposition has not yet worked out that in order to be an effective Opposition it should not oppose everything. I am pleased that the member for Vasse shares that point of view. The member for Vasse stated in a local south west newspaper that sections of the party were not giving the member for Ningaloo the support that he deserved. He said that there are people within the party who believe that they must oppose everything when in opposition, no matter what. I wonder who those people in the Opposition are. The prime suspects are the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I think they are the people to whom the member for Vasse referred. The Opposition should get real. Its members are living in a great State that has great potential and prospects. We should work together to build on that potential.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Opposition is very chirpy today. Its new statesman-like approach to the Parliament lasted one day. I am happy to say that not only are our economic forecasts very strong, but also our employment figures are strong. In January 2003 the unemployment rate in Western Australia fell to six per cent, from 6.4 per cent in December. Importantly, employment is growing at strong levels. Total employment in Western Australia grew by 2.2 per cent over the year ending January 2003, reaching a record high in January with 984 500 people in employment. Full-time employment grew by 1.2 per cent last month, reflecting the healthy economic conditions. The participation rate in our State of 67.5 per cent is the highest since 1995 and remains by far the highest of all the States. Job prospects are also strong with the ANZ job series showing strong growth of 20.3 per cent in the number of job advertisements in January 2003. The Government has set a target to create 125 000 new jobs over the next five years in Western Australia. Our training policies are in place to provide the skilled labour to meet that target and our infrastructure policies are in place to attract investment to the State. We are constantly making sure that the export potential of our State is realised. However, what do we get from the Opposition in this context? We get total negativity. That negativity is a matter of concern for not only the people of Western Australia generally but also the Opposition. Over the past few weeks, the member for Ningaloo has applauded the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture - what a great job he is doing! As I indicated in my earlier statement, he has just come back from the Middle East again where he has been promoting Western Australian agriculture and increased exports to that region. The Opposition has not yet worked out that in order to be an effective Opposition it should not oppose everything. I am pleased that the member for Vasse shares that point of view. The member for Vasse stated in a local south west newspaper that sections of the party were not giving the member for Ningaloo the support that he deserved. He said that there are people within the party who believe that they must oppose everything when in opposition, no matter what. I wonder who those people in the Opposition are. The prime suspects are the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I think they are the people to whom the member for Vasse referred. The Opposition should get real. Its members are living in a great State that has great potential and prospects. We should work together to build on that potential.
I am happy to say that not only are our economic forecasts very strong, but also our employment figures are strong. In January 2003 the unemployment rate in Western Australia fell to six per cent, from 6.4 per cent in December. Importantly, employment is growing at strong levels. Total employment in Western Australia grew by 2.2 per cent over the year ending January 2003, reaching a record high in January with 984 500 people in employment. Full-time employment grew by 1.2 per cent last month, reflecting the healthy economic conditions. The participation rate in our State of 67.5 per cent is the highest since 1995 and remains by far the highest of all the States. Job prospects are also strong with the ANZ job series showing strong growth of 20.3 per cent in the number of job advertisements in January 2003. The Government has set a target to create 125 000 new jobs over the next five years in Western Australia. Our training policies are in place to provide the skilled labour to meet that target and our infrastructure policies are in place to attract investment to the State. We are constantly making sure that the export potential of our State is realised. However, what do we get from the Opposition in this context? We get total negativity. That negativity is a matter of concern for not only the people of Western Australia generally but also the Opposition. Over the past few weeks, the member for Ningaloo has applauded the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture - what a great job he is doing! As I indicated in my earlier statement, he has just come back from the Middle East again where he has been promoting Western Australian agriculture and increased exports to that region. The Opposition has not yet worked out that in order to be an effective Opposition it should not oppose everything. I am pleased that the member for Vasse shares that point of view. The member for Vasse stated in a local south west newspaper that sections of the party were not giving the member for Ningaloo the support that he deserved. He said that there are people within the party who believe that they must oppose everything when in opposition, no matter what. I wonder who those people in the Opposition are. The prime suspects are the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I think they are the people to whom the member for Vasse referred. The Opposition should get real. Its members are living in a great State that has great potential and prospects. We should work together to build on that potential.
However, what do we get from the Opposition in this context? We get total negativity. That negativity is a matter of concern for not only the people of Western Australia generally but also the Opposition. Over the past few weeks, the member for Ningaloo has applauded the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture - what a great job he is doing! As I indicated in my earlier statement, he has just come back from the Middle East again where he has been promoting Western Australian agriculture and increased exports to that region. The Opposition has not yet worked out that in order to be an effective Opposition it should not oppose everything. I am pleased that the member for Vasse shares that point of view. The member for Vasse stated in a local south west newspaper that sections of the party were not giving the member for Ningaloo the support that he deserved. He said that there are people within the party who believe that they must oppose everything when in opposition, no matter what. I wonder who those people in the Opposition are. The prime suspects are the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I think they are the people to whom the member for Vasse referred. The Opposition should get real. Its members are living in a great State that has great potential and prospects. We should work together to build on that potential.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I can. It is interesting - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Opposition is very chirpy today. Its new statesman-like approach to the Parliament lasted one day. I am happy to say that not only are our economic forecasts very strong, but also our employment figures are strong. In January 2003 the unemployment rate in Western Australia fell to six per cent, from 6.4 per cent in December. Importantly, employment is growing at strong levels. Total employment in Western Australia grew by 2.2 per cent over the year ending January 2003, reaching a record high in January with 984 500 people in employment. Full-time employment grew by 1.2 per cent last month, reflecting the healthy economic conditions. The participation rate in our State of 67.5 per cent is the highest since 1995 and remains by far the highest of all the States. Job prospects are also strong with the ANZ job series showing strong growth of 20.3 per cent in the number of job advertisements in January 2003. The Government has set a target to create 125 000 new jobs over the next five years in Western Australia. Our training policies are in place to provide the skilled labour to meet that target and our infrastructure policies are in place to attract investment to the State. We are constantly making sure that the export potential of our State is realised. However, what do we get from the Opposition in this context? We get total negativity. That negativity is a matter of concern for not only the people of Western Australia generally but also the Opposition. Over the past few weeks, the member for Ningaloo has applauded the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture - what a great job he is doing! As I indicated in my earlier statement, he has just come back from the Middle East again where he has been promoting Western Australian agriculture and increased exports to that region. The Opposition has not yet worked out that in order to be an effective Opposition it should not oppose everything. I am pleased that the member for Vasse shares that point of view. The member for Vasse stated in a local south west newspaper that sections of the party were not giving the member for Ningaloo the support that he deserved. He said that there are people within the party who believe that they must oppose everything when in opposition, no matter what. I wonder who those people in the Opposition are. The prime suspects are the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I think they are the people to whom the member for Vasse referred. The Opposition should get real. Its members are living in a great State that has great potential and prospects. We should work together to build on that potential.
I can. It is interesting - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Opposition is very chirpy today. Its new statesman-like approach to the Parliament lasted one day. I am happy to say that not only are our economic forecasts very strong, but also our employment figures are strong. In January 2003 the unemployment rate in Western Australia fell to six per cent, from 6.4 per cent in December. Importantly, employment is growing at strong levels. Total employment in Western Australia grew by 2.2 per cent over the year ending January 2003, reaching a record high in January with 984 500 people in employment. Full-time employment grew by 1.2 per cent last month, reflecting the healthy economic conditions. The participation rate in our State of 67.5 per cent is the highest since 1995 and remains by far the highest of all the States. Job prospects are also strong with the ANZ job series showing strong growth of 20.3 per cent in the number of job advertisements in January 2003. The Government has set a target to create 125 000 new jobs over the next five years in Western Australia. Our training policies are in place to provide the skilled labour to meet that target and our infrastructure policies are in place to attract investment to the State. We are constantly making sure that the export potential of our State is realised. However, what do we get from the Opposition in this context? We get total negativity. That negativity is a matter of concern for not only the people of Western Australia generally but also the Opposition. Over the past few weeks, the member for Ningaloo has applauded the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture - what a great job he is doing! As I indicated in my earlier statement, he has just come back from the Middle East again where he has been promoting Western Australian agriculture and increased exports to that region. The Opposition has not yet worked out that in order to be an effective Opposition it should not oppose everything. I am pleased that the member for Vasse shares that point of view. The member for Vasse stated in a local south west newspaper that sections of the party were not giving the member for Ningaloo the support that he deserved. He said that there are people within the party who believe that they must oppose everything when in opposition, no matter what. I wonder who those people in the Opposition are. The prime suspects are the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I think they are the people to whom the member for Vasse referred. The Opposition should get real. Its members are living in a great State that has great potential and prospects. We should work together to build on that potential.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Opposition is very chirpy today. Its new statesman-like approach to the Parliament lasted one day. I am happy to say that not only are our economic forecasts very strong, but also our employment figures are strong. In January 2003 the unemployment rate in Western Australia fell to six per cent, from 6.4 per cent in December. Importantly, employment is growing at strong levels. Total employment in Western Australia grew by 2.2 per cent over the year ending January 2003, reaching a record high in January with 984 500 people in employment. Full-time employment grew by 1.2 per cent last month, reflecting the healthy economic conditions. The participation rate in our State of 67.5 per cent is the highest since 1995 and remains by far the highest of all the States. Job prospects are also strong with the ANZ job series showing strong growth of 20.3 per cent in the number of job advertisements in January 2003. The Government has set a target to create 125 000 new jobs over the next five years in Western Australia. Our training policies are in place to provide the skilled labour to meet that target and our infrastructure policies are in place to attract investment to the State. We are constantly making sure that the export potential of our State is realised. However, what do we get from the Opposition in this context? We get total negativity. That negativity is a matter of concern for not only the people of Western Australia generally but also the Opposition. Over the past few weeks, the member for Ningaloo has applauded the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture - what a great job he is doing! As I indicated in my earlier statement, he has just come back from the Middle East again where he has been promoting Western Australian agriculture and increased exports to that region. The Opposition has not yet worked out that in order to be an effective Opposition it should not oppose everything. I am pleased that the member for Vasse shares that point of view. The member for Vasse stated in a local south west newspaper that sections of the party were not giving the member for Ningaloo the support that he deserved. He said that there are people within the party who believe that they must oppose everything when in opposition, no matter what. I wonder who those people in the Opposition are. The prime suspects are the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I think they are the people to whom the member for Vasse referred. The Opposition should get real. Its members are living in a great State that has great potential and prospects. We should work together to build on that potential.
The SPEAKER: Members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Opposition is very chirpy today. Its new statesman-like approach to the Parliament lasted one day. I am happy to say that not only are our economic forecasts very strong, but also our employment figures are strong. In January 2003 the unemployment rate in Western Australia fell to six per cent, from 6.4 per cent in December. Importantly, employment is growing at strong levels. Total employment in Western Australia grew by 2.2 per cent over the year ending January 2003, reaching a record high in January with 984 500 people in employment. Full-time employment grew by 1.2 per cent last month, reflecting the healthy economic conditions. The participation rate in our State of 67.5 per cent is the highest since 1995 and remains by far the highest of all the States. Job prospects are also strong with the ANZ job series showing strong growth of 20.3 per cent in the number of job advertisements in January 2003. The Government has set a target to create 125 000 new jobs over the next five years in Western Australia. Our training policies are in place to provide the skilled labour to meet that target and our infrastructure policies are in place to attract investment to the State. We are constantly making sure that the export potential of our State is realised. However, what do we get from the Opposition in this context? We get total negativity. That negativity is a matter of concern for not only the people of Western Australia generally but also the Opposition. Over the past few weeks, the member for Ningaloo has applauded the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture - what a great job he is doing! As I indicated in my earlier statement, he has just come back from the Middle East again where he has been promoting Western Australian agriculture and increased exports to that region. The Opposition has not yet worked out that in order to be an effective Opposition it should not oppose everything. I am pleased that the member for Vasse shares that point of view. The member for Vasse stated in a local south west newspaper that sections of the party were not giving the member for Ningaloo the support that he deserved. He said that there are people within the party who believe that they must oppose everything when in opposition, no matter what. I wonder who those people in the Opposition are. The prime suspects are the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I think they are the people to whom the member for Vasse referred. The Opposition should get real. Its members are living in a great State that has great potential and prospects. We should work together to build on that potential.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: The Opposition is very chirpy today. Its new statesman-like approach to the Parliament lasted one day. I am happy to say that not only are our economic forecasts very strong, but also our employment figures are strong. In January 2003 the unemployment rate in Western Australia fell to six per cent, from 6.4 per cent in December. Importantly, employment is growing at strong levels. Total employment in Western Australia grew by 2.2 per cent over the year ending January 2003, reaching a record high in January with 984 500 people in employment. Full-time employment grew by 1.2 per cent last month, reflecting the healthy economic conditions. The participation rate in our State of 67.5 per cent is the highest since 1995 and remains by far the highest of all the States. Job prospects are also strong with the ANZ job series showing strong growth of 20.3 per cent in the number of job advertisements in January 2003. The Government has set a target to create 125 000 new jobs over the next five years in Western Australia. Our training policies are in place to provide the skilled labour to meet that target and our infrastructure policies are in place to attract investment to the State. We are constantly making sure that the export potential of our State is realised. However, what do we get from the Opposition in this context? We get total negativity. That negativity is a matter of concern for not only the people of Western Australia generally but also the Opposition. Over the past few weeks, the member for Ningaloo has applauded the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture - what a great job he is doing! As I indicated in my earlier statement, he has just come back from the Middle East again where he has been promoting Western Australian agriculture and increased exports to that region. The Opposition has not yet worked out that in order to be an effective Opposition it should not oppose everything. I am pleased that the member for Vasse shares that point of view. The member for Vasse stated in a local south west newspaper that sections of the party were not giving the member for Ningaloo the support that he deserved. He said that there are people within the party who believe that they must oppose everything when in opposition, no matter what. I wonder who those people in the Opposition are. The prime suspects are the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I think they are the people to whom the member for Vasse referred. The Opposition should get real. Its members are living in a great State that has great potential and prospects. We should work together to build on that potential.
I am happy to say that not only are our economic forecasts very strong, but also our employment figures are strong. In January 2003 the unemployment rate in Western Australia fell to six per cent, from 6.4 per cent in December. Importantly, employment is growing at strong levels. Total employment in Western Australia grew by 2.2 per cent over the year ending January 2003, reaching a record high in January with 984 500 people in employment. Full-time employment grew by 1.2 per cent last month, reflecting the healthy economic conditions. The participation rate in our State of 67.5 per cent is the highest since 1995 and remains by far the highest of all the States. Job prospects are also strong with the ANZ job series showing strong growth of 20.3 per cent in the number of job advertisements in January 2003. The Government has set a target to create 125 000 new jobs over the next five years in Western Australia. Our training policies are in place to provide the skilled labour to meet that target and our infrastructure policies are in place to attract investment to the State. We are constantly making sure that the export potential of our State is realised. However, what do we get from the Opposition in this context? We get total negativity. That negativity is a matter of concern for not only the people of Western Australia generally but also the Opposition. Over the past few weeks, the member for Ningaloo has applauded the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture - what a great job he is doing! As I indicated in my earlier statement, he has just come back from the Middle East again where he has been promoting Western Australian agriculture and increased exports to that region. The Opposition has not yet worked out that in order to be an effective Opposition it should not oppose everything. I am pleased that the member for Vasse shares that point of view. The member for Vasse stated in a local south west newspaper that sections of the party were not giving the member for Ningaloo the support that he deserved. He said that there are people within the party who believe that they must oppose everything when in opposition, no matter what. I wonder who those people in the Opposition are. The prime suspects are the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I think they are the people to whom the member for Vasse referred. The Opposition should get real. Its members are living in a great State that has great potential and prospects. We should work together to build on that potential.
However, what do we get from the Opposition in this context? We get total negativity. That negativity is a matter of concern for not only the people of Western Australia generally but also the Opposition. Over the past few weeks, the member for Ningaloo has applauded the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture - what a great job he is doing! As I indicated in my earlier statement, he has just come back from the Middle East again where he has been promoting Western Australian agriculture and increased exports to that region. The Opposition has not yet worked out that in order to be an effective Opposition it should not oppose everything. I am pleased that the member for Vasse shares that point of view. The member for Vasse stated in a local south west newspaper that sections of the party were not giving the member for Ningaloo the support that he deserved. He said that there are people within the party who believe that they must oppose everything when in opposition, no matter what. I wonder who those people in the Opposition are. The prime suspects are the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I think they are the people to whom the member for Vasse referred. The Opposition should get real. Its members are living in a great State that has great potential and prospects. We should work together to build on that potential.
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