Qld unemployment too high – Langbroek
Queensland’s unemployment rate rose above the national average this month and not enough is being done about it, according to Opposition leader John-Paul Langbroek.
Australian Bureau of Statistics show Queensland unemployment rose to 5.6 percent compared to a national average of 5.4 percent.
Mr Langbroek said Ms Bligh’s election promise to create an extra 100,000 breadwinners was another lie and showed a lack of connection with Queenslanders.
“The bottom line is the number of unemployed people in Queensland is now 19,700 higher than when Bligh and Labor conned Queenslanders with a commitment to find work for another 100,000 breadwinners,” Mr Langbroek said.
The current Queensland budget includes about $101 million for the “Skilling Queenslanders for work Initiative” to tackle unemployment this year.
The initiative is designed to help long-term unemployed people across Queensland but has come under fire from the Opposition for a lack of results.
The 146 separate programs are all state-funded but are managed by local institutions with almost 10,000 participants.
State Treasurer Andrew Fraser said he expected about 21,000 people would receive help through the initiative this year.