5,300 full-time jobs created in Queensland in April

Queensland added 5,300 full-time jobs in April as the state’s trend unemployment rate remained steady at 6.6 per cent.

Treasurer and Minister for Employment Curtis Pitt said the ABS Labour Force data released today showed a continuing trend towards full-time jobs growth in Queensland.

“Queensland’s trend toward full-time employment growth is another encouraging sign which shows that Labor is getting the state’s economy back on track,” he said.

“This is Queensland’s sixth consecutive monthly gain in full-time employment and there are now more than 1.6 million Queenslanders in full-time work.

“Job creation will always be this government’s number one priority and there’s no doubt we’re heading in the right direction.

“The Queensland economy has strong fundamentals in place, and the latest jobs data is a further sign that confidence is returning under Labor’s economic policy settings.”

According to the ABS, trend unemployment remained steady in all the mainland States, except NSW which recorded a 0.1 percentage point fall.

Mr Pitt said there were some encouraging economic signs emerging in Queensland as confidence grows under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.

“Queensland now leads the way nationally in retail trade growth, with sales up 1.9 per cent in the March quarter,” he said.

“Overseas merchandise exports were up 10.8 per cent to $11.4 billion during the same period, while building approvals rose 3.0 per cent in March.

“The RBA’s latest decision to cut the cash rate to an historic low of two per cent is also expected to assist consumer and business confidence in Queensland.”

Mr Pitt said the one-term LNP government left an appalling jobs legacy, with Campbell Newman sacking 24,000 public sector workers and presiding over a net loss in employment.

“This is in stark contrast to Labor, which increased the number of full time jobs in Queensland by more than 42,300 over its last term in government,” he said.

“Since the February 2015 election when Labor took power, 11,800 full-time jobs have been created on a trend basis in Queensland, or 5,900 full-time jobs a month.

“This compares with the loss of 6,600 full-time jobs under the Newman LNP Government, or a loss of 194 full-time jobs a month.

“We’re getting on with the job of creating more employment opportunities through initiatives such Skilling Queenslanders for Work.

“This is a proven program which will assist 32,000 jobseekers over four years – yet it was axed by the LNP.

“Labor will continue to promote economic growth and employment opportunities for all Queenslanders.”