Today’s regional employment figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have confirmed continued jobs growth in regional Victoria, with 15,600 more people employed in three months to December 2015.
There was a significant jump in full time employment in particular, with an additional 13,000 full time positions created.
Strong employment growth was experienced in Geelong with the unemployment rate in the region now sitting at 3.6 per cent, down from 7.1 per cent a year earlier.
Employment also rose in regional centres such as Bendigo, Warrnambool and North West Victoria.
As a result the unemployment rate in regional Victoria has fallen to 5.4 per cent, from 6 per cent, and down from 6.6% from when the Andrews Labor Government was elected.
Victoria’s regional unemployment rate is the equal lowest of all states, and below the Australian regional average.
For the 2015 year as a whole, Victoria’s regional unemployment rate averaged 5.8 per cent, down from 6.3 per cent in 2014.
Quotes attributable to Acting Treasurer, Gavin Jennings
“We made a commitment when we were elected that we’d get Victorians back to work, and across Victoria – this is what we’re doing, with our regional unemployment rate now the equal lowest in the country.”
‘Since the Andrews Labor Government was elected, unemployment in regional Victoria has dropped from 6.6 per cent to 5.4 per cent.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development, Jaala Pulford
‘This strong employment result shows that we are getting on with helping people in regional Victoria with jobs and giving them the opportunity to play their part in Victoria’s ongoing economic success story.“
“"From primary production to tourism, the Andrews Labor Government is getting on with making regional Victoria the place to live, work and play."
Reviewed 19 August 2020