More Victorians are out of a job and are unable to find one.
Today’s March Labour Force figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics has Victoria suffering the largest increase in unemployment of any state.
In Victoria, the unemployment rate has increased by 0.4 per cent last month up to 6.1 per cent despite the national unemployment rate falling 5.6 per cent (down 0.2 per cent).
The total number of unemployed Victorians increased by 16,300 over the past month. There are now 34,500 more unemployed Victorians compared to the same time last year.
Victoria was the hardest hit state or territory in the country due to the Andrews Labor Government’s lockdowns after its mishandling of hotel quarantine and failures in contact tracing.
Victorian youth unemployment also increased significantly in March, rising to 13.9 per cent (up 0.6 per cent). Youth unemployment in Victoria is now the second highest in Australia behind South Australia (16.4 per cent).
Comments attributable to the Shadow Treasurer, Louise Staley:
“Today’s figures paint a grim picture for Victorians who just want to get back to work.
“Victorian small businesses are still on their knees following the Andrews Labor Government’s harsh lockdowns with little to no support or a plan in place for the economic recovery.
“Only when Victorian small businesses are supported will we see a recovery in jobs across the state.
“Only the Liberal Nationals have a plan to provide small businesses support and certainty so they can get Back to Work and Back in Business.”
