Media Releases
Wednesday, 30th June 2004
The Howard Government has failed to make a dent into levels of very long term unemployment. The problem is significantly worse today than it was in 1999.
Despite more than a decade of economic growth the numbers of very long term unemployed – those claiming benefits for more than 5 years – in Western Australia has increased by 131% to 9,275 jobseekers.
Across Australia the increase between 1999 and 2004 has been 68%. That translates to almost 51,500 more Australians condemned to poverty.
These are Howard’s forgotten people.
This data was provided by the Department of Family and Community Services in response to Questions on Notice submitted by Labor (Senate Question on Notice Nos. 2807, 2808 & 2809).
The Howard Government’s labour market programs, in particular its Job Network, are not working for long term and disadvantaged jobseekers.
While the Howard Government believes that forcing jobseekers to attend numerous meetings will lead to future employment opportunities, Labor recognises that without relevant skills and recent experience in a mainstream workplace the long term unemployed will continue to find it difficult convincing employers to take them on.
During a period of extended economic growth long term unemployment should be going down, not up. These figures are an indictment on the Howard Government’s policies and highlight once again their indifference to the most vulnerable people in our society.
The number of persons claiming Newstart Allowance for more than 5 years:
| ACT
| NSW
| NT
| QLD
| SA
| TAS
|
| WA
| AUSTRALIA
|
1999
| 759
| 25591
| 1185
| 12250
| 7632
| 3479
| 20269
| 4008
| 75173
|
2004
| 1153
| 39990
| 3607
| 23485
| 12518
| 6693
| 29929
| 9275
| 126650
|
Increase
| 51%
| 56%
| 204%
| 91%
| 64%
| 92%
| 47%
| 131%
| 68%
|
Electorate Office
334a Marrickville Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone: 02 9564 3588
Parliament House Office
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6277 7700
Electorate Office
334a Marrickville Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone: 02 9564 3588
Parliament House Office
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6277 7700
Phone: (02) 9564 3588
Fax: (02) 9564 1734
Email: A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our offices stand and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the sorrow of the Stolen Generations and the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We also recognise the resilience, strength and pride of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Authorised by Anthony Albanese. 334a Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204.