Unemployment has NOT spiked

Statement from Keith Pitt MP in response to a NewsMail story published on Friday Oct 3, which falsely claimed unemployment recently spiked:

“The local unemployment rate has not spiked. It first increased to 9.6 per cent under the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd Government.

“In the final year of the Howard government, the local unemployment rate was just six per cent. That’s why, since being elected just 12 months ago, we have reinstated a number of the programs and policies first introduced by the Howard Government. Reducing the unemployment rate takes time.

“I fought hard to ensure two of the 18 communities selected nationally for the first phase of Work for the Dole are in the Hinkler electorate. Participants will gain skills and qualifications through the program, as well as meeting their mutual obligations to taxpayers.

“Long term unemployed young people will be eligible for job commitment bonuses when they have held down a job consistently for 12 months and two years.

“We’re providing loans of up to $20,000 to help apprentices complete their trade. And we’ve introduced a scholarship scheme for university students from low socio economic backgrounds and regional communities.

“I recognise that one of the major impediments to people finding work locally is the limited number of job vacancies. And so we’re providing funding to cover the costs associated with relocating to take up a job. We’ve introduced financial incentives for business too, when they hire a job seeker over the age of 50 who has been unemployed for at least six months.

“I’m proud to be part of a team that recognises that Governments don’t create jobs – businesses do!

“That’s why we’re building a strong economy and making it easier, not harder to do business in Australia. We’re cutting red and green tape to save businesses time and money. We’re providing support for businesses that want to start exporting their products to the world. We’re reviewing competition laws and concluding free trade agreements with our major trading partners.  And we’ve repealed the Carbon Tax.

“We’re giving business the confidence and stability they need to invest and employ.”

[ENDS]