Region’s unemployment rate calls for urgent action
19th August, 2011
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss, has expressed disappointment with the news that unemployment in Wide Bay has hit 10.7%, the highest level for many years.Figures compiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that unemployment in the Wide Bay Burnett region skyrocketed from 6.9 percent in May, to 10.7 percent in July.
“The regional unemployment rate is alarming. When the Coalition left office in November 2007, unemployment in the Wide Bay Burnett region was down to 3.5 percent, but unemployment has now risen by more than 200 percent since that time," Mr Truss said.
“The lack of confidence around the nation is hitting this area hard and demands urgent action. The Government should offer immediate assistance to create local jobs, support business and strengthen the regional economy by reinstating the former Coalition Government’s Sustainable Regions program,” Mr Truss said.
The Sustainable Regions program targeted support to business and community organisations in defined geographic areas of disadvantage, for projects that created jobs and built confidence in the economy and optimism in the community.
This is clearly the wrong time to introduce a great big new tax.
“The Government should drop its carbon tax which will increase costs for households and business and put jobs at risk.”
Mr Truss also called on the Bligh Labor Government to support local jobs and secure the local future of Downer EDI.
“The Queensland Labor Government should do all it can to ensure that trains for Queensland are built in Maryborough. It should not send a multi-billion train contract offshore to create jobs in Asia.”
Mr Truss said he is also concerned about the impact of the plan by Labor and The Greens to close fishing in up to 13,042 km2 of ocean just off Fraser Island.
“This would have a devastating impact on local employment if it proceeds. The Sunshine, Cooloola and Fraser Coast communities rely heavily on the fishing industry and the jobs they create in the tourism and hospitality sectors. We cannot afford to lose these jobs," Mr Truss said.
“Unemployment affects families, local communities and the regional economy and this high rate demonstrates that there are many people and families struggling to make ends meet.
“The Government must do all it can to rebuild 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.”
