Political squabble over Queensland's unemployment figures      

Date
    June 13, 2013


Queensland's unemployment rate is “steady”, according to the state government.

The opposition, using the same set of figures, has concluded the rate has risen.

They are both right.

The government has chosen to focus on the 'trend' unemployment figure data, provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force figures.


Looking at the trend figures, the raw data, the unemployment rate in Queensland has stayed steady at 5.7 per cent.

Using the seasonable adjusted figures which take into account the time of year and the variables it brings – such as consumer production – unemployment rose by 0.1 per cent to 5.8 per cent.

Both figures relate to last month.

Treasurer Tim Nicholls recommitted the government to achieve a 4 per cent unemployment rate by 2018 and said the latest budget papers, released last week, showed employment growth for the upcoming financial year was expected to be 2.25 per cent.

“We will not lose sight of our goal and will keep working every day to ensure Queensland is a great state with great opportunity,” he said.

The opposition is not so sure.

“There are now 19,200 fewer full-time jobs in Queensland than when the Newman Government took office,” shadow treasurer Curtis Pitt said.      

“Instead of creating jobs as he promised, the Premier and his Treasurer Tim Nicholls have done nothing but sack workers and drive up the number of people looking for work.

“When the Newman Government took office it was 5.5 per cent. There are now 19,200 fewer full-time jobs in our state than there were before the 2012 state election,” he said.      

“The seasonally adjusted participation rate for May is unchanged from April at 65.8 per cent and is 1.1 per cent lower than in March 2012 when it was 66.9 per cent.”

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/political-squabble-over-queenslands-unemployment-figures-20130613-2o6gf.html#ixzz2WFGIkmJD