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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 3 Hansard (9 March) . . Page.. 759 ..

MS CARNELL (continuing):

Today the Bureau of Statistics figures also highlight some other important facts. Our population is continuing to grow much more strongly, with our working-age population increasing by more than 1.5 per cent in the last year. Our work force participation rate is the highest in the country, at 73.3 per cent, almost 10 percentage points higher than the national average. It is also much higher than when Labor was last in office.

So, to sum up, the ACT's unemployment rate is at its lowest level since August 1990, the number of unemployed is the lowest since June 1990, and we now have the highest number of jobs ever recorded in Canberra. In fact, members should note that the Government is now working with industry groups in Canberra to identify and address some serious skills shortages that have now emerged across some really key areas of employment. This Government has been working its butt off over the last five years, in partnership with local business, to encourage new businesses to set up in the ACT, and what have those opposite done? They have criticised us every step of the way.

All of our initiatives, such as payroll tax relief, business incentives, jobs incentives and apprenticeship schemes, have been knocked by those opposite. But today's figures are excellent and they show, once and for all, that the policy direction we have taken has achieved something that no other state has done: The highest growth rate of employment. Not the average, but the highest. Our economy, our jobs market, are without doubt the strongest they have been for a decade, if not longer.

MR HIRD: Chief Minister, my supplementary question is: Did you hear this morning's debate on the work for the dole scheme, when Mr Corbell told the parliament on at least two occasions, if I am right, that there just were not jobs out there. He said, and I quote again, "There just are no jobs out there". Chief Minister, is this claim true?

MS CARNELL: Well, I must admit that when I heard Mr Corbell this morning I did a bit of a double take. As I said earlier, this Government - - -

Mr Berry: Mr Speaker, is that introducing new - - -

MR SPEAKER: No, it is not.

Mr Berry: Hang on a minute.

MR SPEAKER: Sit down. There is no point of order. We are dealing with the same issue. Sit down. Thank you.

MS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, in partnership with industry groups we have been working to identify and develop plans to try to address a number of issues: To create jobs, to get new businesses here, and now to address some serious labour shortages. That is the reason - - -

Mr Corbell: Then why are people still unemployed?

MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Corbell, you did not ask the question and you will not get a chance to ask one if you keep interjecting.

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