MR PALLAS (Treasurer) — I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question, because it does give us an opportunity to look at exactly what progress this government is making, putting jobs first and making sure that Victorians get back to work. Unemployment of course is currently at 6.3 per cent. It is significantly lower than the 6.7 per cent that we inherited from those opposite.

Since November 2014, 39 600 full-time jobs have been created in the state of Victoria. Under Labor we have created 68 700 new jobs right across the state. But the good news does not just stop there; it goes on and on and on. The number of unemployed Victorians has dropped by 9200 since we came to government.

Regional unemployment, an outstanding performer in our jobs story, is down to 5.4 per cent — down from 6.6 per cent in November 2014. This is particularly interesting because it is the lowest level of unemployment in regional Victoria and equal lowest of any state or territory in the nation. And of course regional employment is up 15 800 since November 2014.

Let us look at some outstanding examples. In Warrnambool and the south-west the unemployment rate has dropped from 5.2 per cent in November 2014 to 2.4 per cent. Right across regional Victoria the success of this government continues, and might I say we are committed to growing jobs. Those opposite and the people of Victoria need lose no sleep over the solid conviction that this government will never waste a minute honouring its commitment to the Victorian people, putting jobs first, putting Victorians first and getting on with an outstanding jobs performance.

When it comes to jobs and tackling unemployment, those opposite proved to be an oasis of incompetence. Under the coalition total employment grew by 3.6 per cent, while total unemployment grew 44.2 per cent. It would be just so much better if those opposite sat down and copped the glaring obviousness of their inadequacy.