Mr PALLAS (Treasurer) — I rise to inform the house about the achievements of the Andrews Labor government in delivering on jobs for Victorians. The August Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that Victoria’s unemployment rate is now 5.5 per cent. Since the Andrews Labor government was elected in November 2014 an additional 176 100 Victorians have found jobs. More than 116 000 of those Victorians are in full-time employment.

The robustness of the Victorian economy is important, because it provides reassurance to those auto workers who are now looking for work. I, along with many Victorians, noted with great sadness the shutdown of the Ford factory last week. We have known about the exit of the car industry since those opposite were in government. What was their response? Nothing. And when they were not doing nothing, they were doing nothing good. At one point nine Victorians were scrambling for every job vacancy in this state. What did members of the inverse genius factory opposite do? They cut funding to TAFE as unemployment soared to 6.9 per cent. The contrast with today is telling. Job vacancies in Victoria have increased by a staggering 36 per cent since November 2014, with 45 300 openings in August alone.

We are delivering record investment across the state. We have the fastest growing economy and the fastest jobs growth in the nation. We are giving every auto worker the best opportunity to find gainful employment. We are getting it done.