Under-performing Western Australia has the second-worst unemployment figures in the nation, along with Australia’s lowest wage growth and highest percentage of households under mortgage stress, despite the Premier claiming WA was the best-performing State in the country.
Shadow Treasurer Dean Nalder said the latest ABS data with WA’s unemployment at 8.3 per cent – well above a national average of 7.5 per cent – was extremely concerning for hard-working West Australians given our COVID restrictions were eased well before the rest of the country.
“Despite our strong mining sector and lower COVID-19 restrictions than other States, West Australians are financially worse off under the Labor Government,” Mr Nalder said.
“The Labor Government will try and put their usual spin on this, but let’s put these figures in perspective: they are still the second worst in the country and well above the national average.
“Youth unemployment is spiralling out of control, up from 15.2 per cent to 16.7 per cent.
“Western Australia has 119,700 people unemployed and 41,500 people have lost their job since March. 152,000 people remain underemployed.
“The Labor Government has announced its recovery plan but it does not include a jobs target.
“They need to reveal how many jobs this plan will create to give hope to all the unemployed and underemployed.
“Action is required for WA to ensure its economic future. The Labor Government cannot just provide short-term stimulus, it must deliver sustainable jobs for WA’s future.”