Page 641 - Week 02 - Thursday, 21 February 1991
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MS MAHER (4.51): Mr Speaker, the high rate of labour force participation for ACT teenagers is largely responsible for the difference between the ACT and national unemployment rates. The effect of Federal Government economic policies has been to increase the normally high seasonal peak in teenage unemployment. The rate of 35.7 per cent, recorded for ACT teenagers, compares with 25 per cent nationally and, except for the Northern Territory, was the highest in Australia. But the rise in numbers of teenage unemployment in December 1990 to 4,500 is consistent with seasonal movement in unemployment in previous years. The numbers unemployed throughout 1990 have been generally lower than in the previous few years.
Mr Speaker, teenage unemployment statistics include persons still at school and university who are mainly seeking part-time jobs. About a third of teenage unemployment is attributed to persons who are still attending school. This is particularly significant in Canberra because of the high retention rate in schools and the significant number of tertiary students in the ACT. The seasonal peak in ACT teenage unemployment from November to February is caused by the entry of school, TAFE and university students looking for work during the summer holidays. Almost 73 per cent of ACT teenagers were attending full-time education in September 1990, compared to fewer than 60 per cent Australia-wide. For this reason alone, the ACT can continue to expect sharper seasonal fluctuations in teenage unemployment than in other States.
Mr Speaker, significantly the latest figures, for December 1990, show that, for teenagers not at school, college or university, the 17.4 per cent unemployment rate in the ACT was lower than the national average of 21.8 per cent. In the ACT these people also had a higher participation rate, which shows their willingness to work, and better job prospects.
We know, however, that teenagers have been particularly affected by the recession which has fundamentally been caused by the economic policies of the Federal Labor Government and the failure of the Hawke Government's youth policy. Many employers in the retail and tourism industries have been severely affected by the recession. These industries have historically been an important source for teenage employment in the ACT. Therefore, the recession has made it much more difficult for teenagers to find part-time or casual employment. This has occurred at the very time that increased numbers of teenagers are seeking vacation employment.
Mr Speaker, the ACT Government has been involved in providing employment programs that emphasise the importance of education and training and the need for access to and equity in employment for special groups, such as youth, women and people with disabilities. The Chief Minister's Ministerial Advisory Council on Employment has been particularly important in the development and
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