NSW HOLDS LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE NATION, WITH ALMOST 14,000 NEW JOBS

NSW Treasurer Mike Baird today said NSW now has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation, as 13,900 new jobs were created in the state in February.

The latest ABS Labour Force figures released today show the unemployment rate in NSW is steady at 5.8 per cent, with the national rate at 6.0 per cent.

“NSW now tops the nation, with the lowest unemployment in the country,” said Mr Baird.

“It appears our economy has paid no heed to the negativity and panic-mongering being churned out constantly by NSW Labor.

“This is fantastic news for the people of NSW, with 13,900 new jobs created across the state last month.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has created over 109,100 jobs since coming to office – the highest number of jobs created in the country.

“This follows a decade under the previous Labor government during which NSW had the lowest employment growth of any state.

“While NSW job figures remain vulnerable to fluctuations due to ongoing national economic uncertainty, we are encouraged that NSW continued to add new jobs last month.

“Labour participation is also up, which confirms that people in NSW are feeling more confident about looking for jobs – and they are finding them.”

Mr Baird said the ABS figures follow yesterday’s positive Westpac-Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment, which showed NSW is the only state in which the consumer sentiment improved in March.

“NSW is also the only state where the consumer index remains above 100,” he said.

“While consumers are still concerned about national economic conditions going forward, today’s jobs numbers should provide the people of NSW with more confidence that the NSW Government is delivering strong, stable and responsible economic management.

“We will continue on our path of cutting back on waste and controlling expenditure, while at the same time investing in the key drivers of the economy,” said Mr Baird.