O’Brien – Victoria creates 19,500 more jobs in May

· 19,500 jobs created in Victoria in May, the strongest result nationwide
· 77,200 more people employed in Victoria under the Coalition Government
· The Coalition Government is delivering job-creating infrastructure projects to build a better Victoria

Victoria led the nation in job creation in the month of May, Treasurer Michael O’Brien said today.

According to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures, Victorian employment grew by 19,500 persons (0.7 per cent) in May, the strongest result of any state.

“These 19,500 new jobs are a show of confidence by businesses right across the state,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Victoria’s monthly employment growth was the highest of the states and there are now 77,200 more people employed in Victoria than when Labor left office in 2010.”

Victoria’s unemployment rate has fallen 0.2 percentage points to 6.2 per cent while the participation rate rose by 0.3 percentage points to 64.4 per cent.

“Today’s positive jobs growth is further bolstered by this week’s passing of the state budget, funding a $27 billion infrastructure program that will generate even more jobs, investment and productivity,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The biggest risk to job creation in Victoria is the Labor Party’s opposition to new job-creating infrastructure and its ties to the criminally-convicted CFMEU.

“It is time that Daniel Andrews showed some backbone, expelled the CFMEU from the Labor Party, and reversed his opposition to the East West Link, the Melbourne Rail Link and the Airport Rail Link,” Mr O’Brien said.