Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Economic Development
The Honourable Andrew Fraser

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Statement from the Treasurer on unemployment figures

Unemployment remains public enemy number one in Queensland, following the release of April’s unemployment figures today.

In Townsville, Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Economic Development Andrew Fraser said that as expected, unemployment remains on the rise.

“Today’s unemployment data shows Queensland’s jobless figure has kept on climbing,” Mr Fraser said.

“In trend terms, Queensland unemployment has risen from 4.7% in March to 4.9% in April.

“That’s 114,200 Queenslanders out of work.

“We still remain ahead of the nation, whose trend unemployment rate sits at 5.5%, but that’s cold comfort to the Queenslanders who now find themselves out of work.”

However, Mr Fraser said while 4,300 jobs were lost nationally, Queensland was still defying expectations and creating jobs.

“Last month, 2400 were created in Queensland and April figures show a further 400 new jobs.

“The Bligh Government has maintained its resolve, quarantining our $17 billion capital works program and initiating new programs such as the ‘Green Army’ to get Queenslanders back into work.

“These are tough times that are likely to get worse before they get better. This Government is committed to using everything in our power to get Queenslanders out of the jobless queue and back into the workforce.”

Media contact: Treasurer’s office — 3224 6361 or 3224 5982

---