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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 2 Hansard (11 March) . . Page.. 588 ..
MS CARNELL
(continuing):Mr Speaker, I am sure that they will all be delighted, as I was, to learn that the trend unemployment rates for males in February was 6.4 per cent, down from 6.6 per cent the previous month; and for females it was 5.1 per cent, down from 5.2 per cent.
Mr Speaker, what this means is that the ACT continues to have the second lowest trend unemployment rate of all States and Territories, second only to the Northern Territory. It shows that the employment outlook for Canberrans remains very positive. Indeed, Mr Speaker, the ANZ job advertisement series has shown that the average number of weekly employment ads in Canberra has remained at a high level for the past six months. I just want to remind members that not very long ago the Labor Party was telling anyone who cared to listen that our unemployment rate was going to skyrocket - I think that was the word - to 9 per cent and go through the roof. They were wrong again. In fact, how could you be so wrong?
Today's figures also demonstrate that the Government's efforts to promote a strong, vibrant and diversified economy are working. Remember, Mr Berry; when the rate goes up, it is our fault. In fact, when the rate goes up, it is usually my fault, personally. Mr Speaker, does that mean that, when the rate goes down, it is also my fault? Thank you very much, Mr Berry. I will take the congratulations at any time!
Mr Speaker, we have not let up on our efforts to foster the right climate for jobs and economic growth. We are certainly not sitting on our hands. We have not let up on our efforts to help those Canberrans looking for work to become more job ready as well. Members will recently have received information from this Government showing that we have expanded our job-readiness and training programs and have also brought them together under one, integrated package known as Pathways to Employment Opportunities. Again, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to have the congratulations of those opposite, but the silence has been somewhat deathly.
In summary, Mr Speaker, there are a lot of people who can take credit for this strong rebound in our economy and continued improvement in our employment situation. But I have to say, Mr Speaker, that none of those people who can take any credit at all sit opposite.
MR HIRD: Mr Speaker, I am amazed and delighted to hear what the Chief Minister has just put to the house.
MR SPEAKER: Ask your supplementary question, but no preamble.
MR HIRD: Mr Speaker, my supplementary is this: I was concerned with respect to the number of jobs that have been cut out of the ACT by the Commonwealth when it cut several thousand jobs out of the work force. Have we been able to improve the situation? I know that you have told us, Chief Minister, that the job market is coming up, to your credit. Is it also picking up that area of the Commonwealth losses?
MS CARNELL
: Mr Speaker, I know that those opposite are embarrassed by this. It is patently obvious that they are embarrassed. In fact, I have to say that when one particular media outlet said to me today, "Well, Ms Carnell, the figures must be good because
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