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Wednesday, 30th June 2004

Devastating 5 Year Unemployment Figures: Wa


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


 



 



VIC


 



 



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%


 



 



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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

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