Today’s ABS labour force figures underline the importance of the Newman Government’s efforts to grow the economy, reduce debt and invest in infrastructure for the future, Treasurer Tim Nicholls says.
Mr Nicholls said the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate went up slightly in January to 6.1 per cent, while the more reliable trend rate remained steady at 5.9 per cent.
“Importantly though, Queensland’s trend employment growth in the year to January 2014 is more than three times greater than the national rate,” Mr Nicholls said.
“We were also one of only three states to create jobs in the last 12 months, using the trend measure.
“There are around 20,000 more Queenslanders in work than there were at this time last year.
“We are making progress.
“Before we were elected to office, Queensland lagged 0.3 percentage points behind the national average, now we’re level.
“But this CanDo Government understands there is more work to be done as we drive towards our goal of a four per cent unemployment rate.
“We want to invest in new infrastructure – the kind of infrastructure that will create thousands of jobs and unlock this state’s economic potential.
“But as I’ve said before, we are being held back by Labor’s $80 billion debt which hangs like a black cloud over the future of this state.
“This year the Government will be listening to Queenslanders views on how we can reduce the debt and make the investments that will lead to jobs growth.”
