Labor-Greens alliance threatens jobs in Wide Bay
19th October, 2010
Unemployment in Wide Bay has hit 9.3%, the second highest level since the Federal Labor Government came to power, Federal Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss said today.Figures compiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that unemployment in the Wide Bay Burnett region skyrocketed from 6.7% in August to 9.3% in September 2010. This figure is the highest under Labor since it reached 10.1% in May 2009.
“Local unemployment is alarming. When the Coalition left office in November 2007, unemployment in the Wide Bay Burnett region was down to 3.5%, but unemployment has now risen by more than 165% since that time,” Mr Truss said.
“The Rudd Gillard Labor Government wasted billions on so called job creation schemes, including debt funded cash give aways; Labor’s overpriced school halls program; Peter Garrett’s disastrous home insulation scheme; and his rorted Green Loans initiative. People in Wide Bay have been left with their share of the massive debt, but we do not have the jobs to show for it.”
The Bligh Labor Government has not lived up to its employment promise either.
“Anna Bligh promised to create 100,000 new jobs, but so far none have been delivered in Wide Bay. All she has done is threaten the future of Downer EDI Rail by opening up a $2 billion rail tender to overseas bids,” Mr Truss said.
Mr Truss warned that Labor and The Greens Party have a raft of policies that would put more jobs at risk in Wide Bay.
“Labor and The Greens have a plan to close fishing in up to 13,042 km2 of ocean just off Fraser Island, which would have a devastating impact on local employment if it proceeds. Sunshine, Cooloola and Fraser Coast communities rely heavily on the fishing and seafood industries and the jobs they create in the tourism and hospitality sectors. These industries are major employers in our region and Labor and The Greens can not be allowed to decimate them,” Mr Truss said.
“Unemployment could rise further in regional areas if Labor and The Greens pursue their carbon tax plan that will make our industries less competitive and increase grocery, electricity and fuel costs for households and businesses.
“Labor’s award modernisation policy has also put a brake on employment, harming industries important to the Wide Bay Burnett region, including tourism, hospitality, retailing and agriculture.
“This unemployment figure should be a call to action for the Government. It highlights just how many people and families are doing it tough, and demonstrates the need for targeted policies that sustain business and promote confidence. Instead Julia Gillard has so far delivered waste and empty words.”
