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Unemployment rises to 22-year high

There has been a third consecutive rise in unemployment in Victoria, according to today’s unemployment figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The unemployment figure for June in Victoria was 7.5 per cent, up from 6.9 per cent in May and 5.2 per cent in March, when COVID-19 restrictions were first introduced.

In the last month Victoria’s unemployment rate has surpassed the national figure of 7.4 per cent and surged past the best comparable state economy of NSW figure of 6.9 per cent.

Just under 169,000 jobs have been lost since March in Victoria, with more to come after the reintroduction of restrictions in July.

Victoria’s unemployment rate of 7.5 per cent is the highest it has been since November 1998.

Unemployment will continue to grow thanks to Victoria’s second lockdown.  The Andrews Labor Government must do more to assist struggling businesses, that are in this position because of Daniel Andrews’ hotel quarantine mess. 

Comments attributable to Shadow Treasurer, Louise Staley:

“169,000 fewer Victorians had a job in June and that’s before a second lockdown for metropolitan Melbourne, needed to stop out of control community transmission from Victorian Labor’s mismanagement of hotel quarantine.

“We already know Victoria was in recession before this pandemic hit, due to Labor’s economic mismanagement. Today’s unemployment numbers prove Victorian workers and their families are experiencing higher unemployment rates than NSW or nationally.

“The Andrews Labor Government’s insufficient support package shows it doesn’t understand what’s needed to help businesses survive.  The Liberal Nationals have a clear plan to get Victorians back in work and back in business.”

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