Friday, February 14, 2014

Qld: Newman Attacks Unions and Kills Jobs

The Newman LNP government’s obsession with its law and order crackdown has led Queensland into dangerous unemployment territory, unions say.

ABS figures released today show that Queensland’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate climbed to 6.1 per cent in January, with 11,700 fewer Queenslanders in work than the previous month.

Since the Newman government came into power in March 2012, it has seen the unemployment rate climb from 5.5 per cent to 6.1 per cent, heading away from its promise of a 4 per cent jobless rate.

Queensland Council of Unions President John Battams said the Newman government had misdirected its priorities and now the unemployment rate was at GFC levels.

“They’ve been boasting about getting tough on crime – well they need to get tough on unemployment  too,” he said.

“It’s time this government devoted some creativity and energy to ensuring a healthy employment environment in Queensland.

“Instead, the Liberal National Party across the country particularly seems to be actively encouraging the demise of our manufacturing industry, which is still a major employer.”

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