New data released today confirms that jobs in Victorian small businesses continue to go backwards following the Andrews Labor Government’s mismanaged COVID-19 response.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics weekly payroll jobs data for the period January 2-16 showed that payroll jobs in Victorian businesses with fewer than 20 employees fell by 1.4 per cent, compared to an overall increase across Australia of 0.7 per cent.
Since the start of the pandemic, over 1 in 10 jobs have been lost in Victorian businesses employing fewer than 20 people, compared to 1 in 30 jobs lost for Victorian businesses employing 200 people or more.
Overall, Victoria’s reduction in payroll jobs since the start of the pandemic is 5.9 per cent, which is the largest percentage loss of payroll jobs of any state or territory in Australia.
Whilst Australia’s economic recovery continues, Victorian small businesses are falling further behind – meaning fewer jobs and less opportunity for Victorians across the state.
Comments attributable to Shadow Treasurer, Louise Staley:
“The payroll jobs figures from the first two weeks of 2021 show Victorian small businesses still suffering from the lack of support from the Andrews Labor Government.
“We know that of the 640,000 small businesses in Victoria, only about one in five received any support from the Andrews Labor Government during this global pandemic.
“As a direct result of Andrews Government inaction, 1 in every 10 jobs in Victorian businesses employing fewer than 20 people have disappeared. These are jobs that helped Victorians feed their families and keep a roof over their heads.
“And the latest figures show that small businesses in Victoria are continuing to shed jobs.
“These small businesses need support now. Only the Liberal Nationals have the plan to help small businesses recover so those jobs can come back.”
