Victoria’s Strong Jobs Growth Leads The Nation

Victoria’s well-managed economy has generated a strong increase in employment and a drop in the state’s unemployment rate, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

According to the ABS, Victoria’s unemployment rate fell to 5.7 per cent in June, and 24,200 extra people gained employment for the month – with 22,500 of those jobs full time.

For the year to June, there were an extra 112,900 people in full-time work.

The level of Victorian employment is now 147,400 persons higher than in November 2014, with full-time employment up by 111,500 people during the same period – well above the 100,000 full time jobs that we promised Victorians we would create.

By way of comparison, during their one term in government, the Liberal Party created less than 17,000 full-time jobs in four years.

Today’s figures also shows that Victorian employment growth was even stronger than the 2016-17 Victorian Budget forecast of 2 per cent., with the actual increase of 2.3 per cent equating to 67,900 more people in work.

Victoria’s labour market is expected to remain robust with recent trends and leading indicators of employment growth indicating that solid jobs growth is likely to continue.

Quotes attributable to Acting Treasurer Gavin Jennings

“Since the Andrews Labor Government came to power, an extra 147,400 people are in gainful employment – today’s figures show how successful this Government is in creating jobs and bolstering our State.”

“This Government is investing in Victoria to build a strong economy and in turn driving job growth – which means more opportunities for all Victorians.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment Wade Noonan

”What these figures show is that the Andrews Labor Government is continuing to grow the Victorian economy, creating jobs and opportunities for Victorians.”

“There have now been far more jobs created in the 18 months since we came to power than the Liberal Government managed to achieve in four slow years.”