Page 1417 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 26 September 1989
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The ACT population is expected to grow marginally faster than the rest of Australia. The demographic mix within the ACT is changing dramatically. We have a relative ageing of the population. Government social policy, especially in the housing, health and welfare areas, is addressing this.
The budget contains a number of measures, such as the Housing Trust's construction of more aged persons' accommodation and an increase in the funding base for ACT health and community services, which recognise the increasing demands resulting from an ageing population.
At the same time, the 15 to 24 age group, which generates the new work force entrants, is forecast to remain at historically high levels. With the teenage unemployment rate remaining above the national rate, the challenge to the ACT Government is to provide expanding employment opportunities for youth. Providing the framework for economic growth is essential to achieve this.
The budget does this as well as providing some specific initiatives such as funding a youth outreach worker program and implementing important training initiatives.
Mr Speaker, in the ACT we have a lower rate of employment growth than the Australian average. Overall employment is expected to increase by two per cent during 1989-90, compared to a national growth forecast of 2.75 per cent. This is the result of the employment mix within the ACT.
For the sixth consecutive year, the private sector increased its share of total employment. The Commonwealth Government's employment policy has resulted in the ACT public sector work force declining by two per cent over the last two years. We cannot expect the Commonwealth sector to contribute to ACT employment growth in the foreseeable future. The reduced opportunities in the public sector have contributed to the Territory's high youth unemployment rate.
Tourism has been identified as an industry already growing strongly and with significant growth potential for the Territory. In order to build on this, we have identified funds in the budget to further boost this industry. These policies have become even more important because of the effect of the pilots' dispute on the tourism industry. There has also been growth in the finance, property and business services sectors. Further growth is expected in these areas.
Employment in the construction industry is expected to decline slightly. The Government has given a high priority to expenditure on capital works, both to provide needed public facilities and to help stabilise economic activity in this area.
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