The Baillieu Government’s two years of inaction responding to the jobs crisis in Victoria has resulted in yet another jump in the state’s unemployment figures, Shadow Employment Minister Tim Pallas said today.

Mr Pallas said that over the last month, the unemployment rate rose despite Premier Ted Baillieu spruiking 13,500 jobs being added in Victoria – including 5,500 full-time jobs.

“Victoria’s unemployment rate has jumped from 5.5 to 5.6 per cent over the last month,
which is more bad news for job seekers or the recently unemployed”, Mr Pallas said.

“Victoria’s unemployment rate is well above the Australian national average of 5.4 per cent.

“The state’s unemployment rate is in freefall with the eleventh straight month of unemployment increases, the longest period in Victoria for over a decade.

“Mr Baillieu’s major job cuts across the public service, funding cuts to TAFE, education and health and a failure to invest in major projects, has contributed to the states rising unemployment rate”, Mr Pallas said.

Mr Pallas said that scarcely a week passed without iconic Victorian business announcing further job cuts or major reviews to their Victorian operations.

“Over the last 2 years of the Baillieu Government thousands of jobs in Victoria have been lost across major companies such as Ford, Toyota, Qantas, Alcoa, ANZ, Bosch, Heinz, Bluescope and Boral”, Mr Pallas said.

“Under Labor, Victoriawas the jobs creation engine room of the Australian economy.

“The role of any state government is to create high-quality and diverse jobs for Victorians.  

“Victorians deserve an explanation from Mr Baillieu as to what his government is doing to generate jobs in the states economy and prevent further losses.

“Ted Baillieu has seemingly abandoned his election commitment to grow Victorian jobs and has washed his hands of any responsibility”, Mr Pallas said.