Media Statements

Joint Statement - Victorian unemployment rate evidence of Labor failure

Joint Statement – Victorian unemployment rate evidence of Labor failure

Brad Battin, Leader of the Opposition 

James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer

The Australian Bureau of Statistics unemployment data confirms a long-term trend in Victoria’s economic underperformance and the State Labor Government’s failure in managing our economy.

Victoria’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.4 per cent, is higher than Tasmania (4.3 per cent), South Australia (4.2 per cent), Queensland (3.9 per cent), New South Wales (3.8 per cent) and Western Australia (3.3 per cent).

With the national average sitting at 4 per cent, Victoria’s 4.4 per cent unemployment rate confirms a deeper problem with the economy in our state.

Despite the structural weaknesses of our economy, the Allan Labor Government refuses to make the changes necessary to attract business and investment back to Victoria.

The Leader of the Opposition, Brad Battin, said “Victoria’s unemployment rate has been the highest in the nation for nine months now. This Government should be ashamed.

“In contrast to Labor’s approach to saddle business with more taxes and red tape, the Liberals and Nationals will design policies to stimulate economic growth by stopping wastage of taxpayers’ money and cutting red tape for small and medium businesses.

“This will stimulate job creation and reignite the state’s ‘have a go’ spirit,” Mr Battin said.

“Labor can’t manage money and Victorians are paying the price.”

Shadow Treasurer, James Newbury, said: “Our budget is the worst in the country because we have the worst government in the country.

“The unemployment figures are further confirmation that jobs are less secure in Victoria.

“Labor’s economic damage is compounded by a reckless level of debt and the $26 million dollars a day interest burden that our state shoulders.

“We must get Victoria moving again through lower taxes, which will drive investment, and bring confidence back to business and industry.

A confident industry will result in more jobs for Victorians,” Mr Newbury said.

Brad Battin, Leader of the Opposition 

James Newbury, Shadow Treasurer