❓ The Premier reports a fall in WA's unemployment rate to 5.6%, below the national average, with significant job growth and positive economic forecasts. The government emphasizes investment in infrastructure and skills training to capitalize on these opportunities.
AnsweredQoN 498Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Will the Premier outline to the House the latest unemployment figures released today and advise the implications they have for Western Australia’s labour market? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
I am pleased to report to the Parliament that the unemployment rate in Western Australia has fallen from six per cent to 5.6 per cent in February, which is well below the national rate of six per cent. Importantly, employment grew by 1.2 per cent in the three months to February; that represents 11 300 new jobs in the past three months. On an annual basis, employment in Western Australia grew by 2.3 per cent. These figures represent very positive economic news for Western Australia. That news, of course, comes on top of other positive economic news that we have had in recent times. Only last week the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that the domestic economy grew by 5.5 per cent in the December quarter; that was the highest rate of all States and more than double the national growth rate of 2.5 per cent. Private economic forecasters are revising their figures in an upward direction. First, BIS Shrapnel Pty Ltd reported a major upswing in minerals investment and that Western Australia will play a major part in that upswing; Econtech Pty Ltd has significantly revised its 2002-03 growth forecast for the Western Australian economy to a strong 6.5 per cent; and Access Economics Pty Ltd has forecast economic growth of seven per cent, which is more than twice the national rate. Secondly, this Government has a very positive view about the State. We have that positive view because the Government is spending money on capital works and infrastructure to attract investment in the State. Western Australia has a skilled labour force capable of carrying those investments through the construction process and into new jobs for the future of Western Australians. Thirdly, we are a State of stability in a world of uncertainty and instability. For those reasons we believe the State is well placed to significantly progress. However, I adopt the theme introduced into this Parliament last week by the Minister for Education and Training that we must ensure young people are in a position to take on those jobs. How do we do that? We must make sure that our education and training systems are working to skill up our young people. Our retention rates are too low. In some parts of Western Australia they are tragically low. The rate of uptake of vocational education is too low. Investment comes into the State, and the State spends money on capital works and infrastructure. The challenge to the Government of Western Australia is to make sure that skilled labour is available to take up those opportunities. We are very positive about the State and welcome those figures. We are well on track to achieving 125 000 new jobs in the next five years. I congratulate all those businesses on what they are doing. We are keen to work with them to make sure that Western Australia is genuinely the State of the future.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I am pleased to report to the Parliament that the unemployment rate in Western Australia has fallen from six per cent to 5.6 per cent in February, which is well below the national rate of six per cent. Importantly, employment grew by 1.2 per cent in the three months to February; that represents 11 300 new jobs in the past three months. On an annual basis, employment in Western Australia grew by 2.3 per cent. These figures represent very positive economic news for Western Australia. That news, of course, comes on top of other positive economic news that we have had in recent times. Only last week the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that the domestic economy grew by 5.5 per cent in the December quarter; that was the highest rate of all States and more than double the national growth rate of 2.5 per cent. Private economic forecasters are revising their figures in an upward direction. First, BIS Shrapnel Pty Ltd reported a major upswing in minerals investment and that Western Australia will play a major part in that upswing; Econtech Pty Ltd has significantly revised its 2002-03 growth forecast for the Western Australian economy to a strong 6.5 per cent; and Access Economics Pty Ltd has forecast economic growth of seven per cent, which is more than twice the national rate. Secondly, this Government has a very positive view about the State. We have that positive view because the Government is spending money on capital works and infrastructure to attract investment in the State. Western Australia has a skilled labour force capable of carrying those investments through the construction process and into new jobs for the future of Western Australians. Thirdly, we are a State of stability in a world of uncertainty and instability. For those reasons we believe the State is well placed to significantly progress. However, I adopt the theme introduced into this Parliament last week by the Minister for Education and Training that we must ensure young people are in a position to take on those jobs. How do we do that? We must make sure that our education and training systems are working to skill up our young people. Our retention rates are too low. In some parts of Western Australia they are tragically low. The rate of uptake of vocational education is too low. Investment comes into the State, and the State spends money on capital works and infrastructure. The challenge to the Government of Western Australia is to make sure that skilled labour is available to take up those opportunities. We are very positive about the State and welcome those figures. We are well on track to achieving 125 000 new jobs in the next five years. I congratulate all those businesses on what they are doing. We are keen to work with them to make sure that Western Australia is genuinely the State of the future.
I am pleased to report to the Parliament that the unemployment rate in Western Australia has fallen from six per cent to 5.6 per cent in February, which is well below the national rate of six per cent. Importantly, employment grew by 1.2 per cent in the three months to February; that represents 11 300 new jobs in the past three months. On an annual basis, employment in Western Australia grew by 2.3 per cent. These figures represent very positive economic news for Western Australia. That news, of course, comes on top of other positive economic news that we have had in recent times. Only last week the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that the domestic economy grew by 5.5 per cent in the December quarter; that was the highest rate of all States and more than double the national growth rate of 2.5 per cent. Private economic forecasters are revising their figures in an upward direction. First, BIS Shrapnel Pty Ltd reported a major upswing in minerals investment and that Western Australia will play a major part in that upswing; Econtech Pty Ltd has significantly revised its 2002-03 growth forecast for the Western Australian economy to a strong 6.5 per cent; and Access Economics Pty Ltd has forecast economic growth of seven per cent, which is more than twice the national rate. Secondly, this Government has a very positive view about the State. We have that positive view because the Government is spending money on capital works and infrastructure to attract investment in the State. Western Australia has a skilled labour force capable of carrying those investments through the construction process and into new jobs for the future of Western Australians. Thirdly, we are a State of stability in a world of uncertainty and instability. For those reasons we believe the State is well placed to significantly progress. However, I adopt the theme introduced into this Parliament last week by the Minister for Education and Training that we must ensure young people are in a position to take on those jobs. How do we do that? We must make sure that our education and training systems are working to skill up our young people. Our retention rates are too low. In some parts of Western Australia they are tragically low. The rate of uptake of vocational education is too low. Investment comes into the State, and the State spends money on capital works and infrastructure. The challenge to the Government of Western Australia is to make sure that skilled labour is available to take up those opportunities. We are very positive about the State and welcome those figures. We are well on track to achieving 125 000 new jobs in the next five years. I congratulate all those businesses on what they are doing. We are keen to work with them to make sure that Western Australia is genuinely the State of the future.
Private economic forecasters are revising their figures in an upward direction. First, BIS Shrapnel Pty Ltd reported a major upswing in minerals investment and that Western Australia will play a major part in that upswing; Econtech Pty Ltd has significantly revised its 2002-03 growth forecast for the Western Australian economy to a strong 6.5 per cent; and Access Economics Pty Ltd has forecast economic growth of seven per cent, which is more than twice the national rate. Secondly, this Government has a very positive view about the State. We have that positive view because the Government is spending money on capital works and infrastructure to attract investment in the State. Western Australia has a skilled labour force capable of carrying those investments through the construction process and into new jobs for the future of Western Australians. Thirdly, we are a State of stability in a world of uncertainty and instability. For those reasons we believe the State is well placed to significantly progress. However, I adopt the theme introduced into this Parliament last week by the Minister for Education and Training that we must ensure young people are in a position to take on those jobs. How do we do that? We must make sure that our education and training systems are working to skill up our young people. Our retention rates are too low. In some parts of Western Australia they are tragically low. The rate of uptake of vocational education is too low. Investment comes into the State, and the State spends money on capital works and infrastructure. The challenge to the Government of Western Australia is to make sure that skilled labour is available to take up those opportunities. We are very positive about the State and welcome those figures. We are well on track to achieving 125 000 new jobs in the next five years. I congratulate all those businesses on what they are doing. We are keen to work with them to make sure that Western Australia is genuinely the State of the future.
We are very positive about the State and welcome those figures. We are well on track to achieving 125 000 new jobs in the next five years. I congratulate all those businesses on what they are doing. We are keen to work with them to make sure that Western Australia is genuinely the State of the future.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I am pleased to report to the Parliament that the unemployment rate in Western Australia has fallen from six per cent to 5.6 per cent in February, which is well below the national rate of six per cent. Importantly, employment grew by 1.2 per cent in the three months to February; that represents 11 300 new jobs in the past three months. On an annual basis, employment in Western Australia grew by 2.3 per cent. These figures represent very positive economic news for Western Australia. That news, of course, comes on top of other positive economic news that we have had in recent times. Only last week the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that the domestic economy grew by 5.5 per cent in the December quarter; that was the highest rate of all States and more than double the national growth rate of 2.5 per cent. Private economic forecasters are revising their figures in an upward direction. First, BIS Shrapnel Pty Ltd reported a major upswing in minerals investment and that Western Australia will play a major part in that upswing; Econtech Pty Ltd has significantly revised its 2002-03 growth forecast for the Western Australian economy to a strong 6.5 per cent; and Access Economics Pty Ltd has forecast economic growth of seven per cent, which is more than twice the national rate. Secondly, this Government has a very positive view about the State. We have that positive view because the Government is spending money on capital works and infrastructure to attract investment in the State. Western Australia has a skilled labour force capable of carrying those investments through the construction process and into new jobs for the future of Western Australians. Thirdly, we are a State of stability in a world of uncertainty and instability. For those reasons we believe the State is well placed to significantly progress. However, I adopt the theme introduced into this Parliament last week by the Minister for Education and Training that we must ensure young people are in a position to take on those jobs. How do we do that? We must make sure that our education and training systems are working to skill up our young people. Our retention rates are too low. In some parts of Western Australia they are tragically low. The rate of uptake of vocational education is too low. Investment comes into the State, and the State spends money on capital works and infrastructure. The challenge to the Government of Western Australia is to make sure that skilled labour is available to take up those opportunities. We are very positive about the State and welcome those figures. We are well on track to achieving 125 000 new jobs in the next five years. I congratulate all those businesses on what they are doing. We are keen to work with them to make sure that Western Australia is genuinely the State of the future.
I am pleased to report to the Parliament that the unemployment rate in Western Australia has fallen from six per cent to 5.6 per cent in February, which is well below the national rate of six per cent. Importantly, employment grew by 1.2 per cent in the three months to February; that represents 11 300 new jobs in the past three months. On an annual basis, employment in Western Australia grew by 2.3 per cent. These figures represent very positive economic news for Western Australia. That news, of course, comes on top of other positive economic news that we have had in recent times. Only last week the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that the domestic economy grew by 5.5 per cent in the December quarter; that was the highest rate of all States and more than double the national growth rate of 2.5 per cent. Private economic forecasters are revising their figures in an upward direction. First, BIS Shrapnel Pty Ltd reported a major upswing in minerals investment and that Western Australia will play a major part in that upswing; Econtech Pty Ltd has significantly revised its 2002-03 growth forecast for the Western Australian economy to a strong 6.5 per cent; and Access Economics Pty Ltd has forecast economic growth of seven per cent, which is more than twice the national rate. Secondly, this Government has a very positive view about the State. We have that positive view because the Government is spending money on capital works and infrastructure to attract investment in the State. Western Australia has a skilled labour force capable of carrying those investments through the construction process and into new jobs for the future of Western Australians. Thirdly, we are a State of stability in a world of uncertainty and instability. For those reasons we believe the State is well placed to significantly progress. However, I adopt the theme introduced into this Parliament last week by the Minister for Education and Training that we must ensure young people are in a position to take on those jobs. How do we do that? We must make sure that our education and training systems are working to skill up our young people. Our retention rates are too low. In some parts of Western Australia they are tragically low. The rate of uptake of vocational education is too low. Investment comes into the State, and the State spends money on capital works and infrastructure. The challenge to the Government of Western Australia is to make sure that skilled labour is available to take up those opportunities. We are very positive about the State and welcome those figures. We are well on track to achieving 125 000 new jobs in the next five years. I congratulate all those businesses on what they are doing. We are keen to work with them to make sure that Western Australia is genuinely the State of the future.
Private economic forecasters are revising their figures in an upward direction. First, BIS Shrapnel Pty Ltd reported a major upswing in minerals investment and that Western Australia will play a major part in that upswing; Econtech Pty Ltd has significantly revised its 2002-03 growth forecast for the Western Australian economy to a strong 6.5 per cent; and Access Economics Pty Ltd has forecast economic growth of seven per cent, which is more than twice the national rate. Secondly, this Government has a very positive view about the State. We have that positive view because the Government is spending money on capital works and infrastructure to attract investment in the State. Western Australia has a skilled labour force capable of carrying those investments through the construction process and into new jobs for the future of Western Australians. Thirdly, we are a State of stability in a world of uncertainty and instability. For those reasons we believe the State is well placed to significantly progress. However, I adopt the theme introduced into this Parliament last week by the Minister for Education and Training that we must ensure young people are in a position to take on those jobs. How do we do that? We must make sure that our education and training systems are working to skill up our young people. Our retention rates are too low. In some parts of Western Australia they are tragically low. The rate of uptake of vocational education is too low. Investment comes into the State, and the State spends money on capital works and infrastructure. The challenge to the Government of Western Australia is to make sure that skilled labour is available to take up those opportunities. We are very positive about the State and welcome those figures. We are well on track to achieving 125 000 new jobs in the next five years. I congratulate all those businesses on what they are doing. We are keen to work with them to make sure that Western Australia is genuinely the State of the future.
We are very positive about the State and welcome those figures. We are well on track to achieving 125 000 new jobs in the next five years. I congratulate all those businesses on what they are doing. We are keen to work with them to make sure that Western Australia is genuinely the State of the future.
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