News
SA lags on jobless rate |
Thursday, 11 September 2008
The State’s unemployment rate lags above the national average with 38,000 South Australians jobless.
Unemployment figures released today reveal South Australia’s trend unemployment rate was 4.6 per cent in August compared to a national average of 4.2 per cent.
And the State’s youth unemployment rate has climbed to 23.2 per cent – 7 points higher than the national average.
“There were 38,000 reasons why the Rann Government can take no pride in these jobless figures,” said Shadow Employment Minister Steven Griffiths.
“Business taxes are higher in South Australia than other States and are acting as a disincentive to employ extra staff, particularly young people.
“Premier Rann is over-selling defence and mining at the expense of other industry sectors.
“I’m alarmed that youth unemployment is rising sharply with almost a quarter of our young job seekers unable to find work.
“Youth unemployment has been above the national rate for 29 of the past 30 months.”