Unemployment in the Wide Bay Burnett has risen one per cent over the past month … to 9.5 per cent.
“Over the last three months the unemployment rate has gone up and up and up, from 7.5 per cent in January, to 8.5 per cent in February, to 9.5 per cent for March,” Federal Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss said.
He said the latest rise cemented his call for action to help people into jobs.
“The unemployment figures were volatile for most of last year, hitting 12.3 per cent in August but a trend has now emerged and again it is going the wrong way,” he said.
“Yet the Gillard Labor Government fails to listen to the community, it ignores the statistics and does nothing to help the economy in our region.
“This latest increase confirms what local consumers and business people are telling me – confidence is down, people are uncertain about the future, and they are looking for strong leadership from Government to establish a sound economic direction for the future.
“Now is not the time for the Australia to go it alone and implement the world’s largest carbon tax, which will increase costs for households and business and put jobs at risk. I can not think of a worse time to introduce an economy wide tax which by its purpose and design is supposed to reduce consumption, hitting jobs hard.
“Many people and families are doing it tough and the Government must do more to ensure that those who want a job can get one. People need jobs to support their families, to build their skills and confidence and to strengthen the regional economy.
“The Government must take urgent action to rebuild economic confidence, grow skills and ensure business is able to create sustainable jobs. It is only then that we will unlock our region’s true potential.”
