Labor talking about itself at party conference while jobs lost and Australian businesses…
While the Prime Minister basks
in the glory of the Labor conference, work force data released today shows
Australian workers and businesses are doing it tougher than ever.
Against
market expectations, the unemployment rate rose to 3.7% and the number of
full-time jobs dropped by 24,200 in the month of July. Concerningly the
participation rate also decreased.
Part-time
employment rose by 9,600 jobs, which was not surprising considering the number
of full-time jobs that were lost.
Shadow
Treasurer Angus Taylor said: “Under Labor we’re
seeing our economy shuddering to a halt with Australians now losing jobs,
productivity falling off a cliff, flatlining GDP growth and a year of real wage
declines.”
“Labor’s cost
of living crisis is at risk of morphing into a full-blown economic crisis,” Mr
Taylor said.
“Instead
of treating inflation and cost of living pressures as it’s first,
second and third priority, Labor is distracted and refusing to deal with the
core issues impacting Australians’ daily lives.”
Shadow
Minister for Employment Senator Michaelia Cash said: “Today’s
increase in unemployment is concerning, especially on the back of confirmation
earlier in the week that real wages are continuing to go backwards under Labor.
“Mr
Albanese has taken the strong labour market left by the previous Coalition
Government for granted and is not interested in strengthening our economy,’’ Senator
Cash said.
“Mr
Albanese has no plan whatsoever to boost productivity, reduce cost of living
pressures or create more job opportunities for Australians,’’ she
said.
“Labor is
instead focused on rewarding its union mates for their political and financial
support,’’ Senator Cash said.
“Today’s
figures show Labor needs to abandon its next wave of job destroying industrial
relations changes, which will attack casual workers and those who choose to
work as contractors or in the gig economy,’’ Senator Cash said.