New figures show SA has recorded the biggest drop in the unemployment rate in the country
New figures show that South Australia is no longer the unemployment capital of Australia. But will the State Government still be urged to do more?
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South Australia no longer has the highest unemployment rate in the country.
New job statistics released this morning show the state’s unemployment rate has dropped to 7.9 per cent in July – down from 8.8 per cent in June.
Tasmania also saw a 0.9 per cent in the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in July.
The drop to 7.9 per cent puts the SA behind Queensland 8.8 per cent, and West Australia, 8.3 per cent.
Nationally the unemployment rate has risen slightly from 7.4 per cent to 7.5 per cent.
SA added 8600 jobs between June and July growing from 817,300 employed people to 825,900.
The new numbers were welcomed by industry – with caveats.
Property Council state chief Daniel Gannon said what is important are the next immediate steps, and how the state creates a meaningful and sustainable pipeline of employment opportunities before the economy rebounds.
“That’s where infrastructure can play a catalytic role for South Australia’s economy, as long as the shopping list of construction priorities is long and ready to go,” Mr Gannon said.
“It’s time to grab a hard hat and a pair of steel caps and start reshaping Adelaide and the rest of the state to insulate our economy from serious short-term pain.
His comments were replicated by Master Builders Association chief executive Ian Markos.
“The Marshall Government has done an outstanding job managing the health impact of COVID-19 and that has given us a competitive advantage,” he said.
“The Morrison Government’s HomeBuilder grants have been a game changer for residential building in South Australia and the benefits are flowing through our economy.
“However, now is definitely not the time for complacency.
“Now is definitely time for the Marshall Government to announce major construction projects and bring forward those that have already been announced.
Innovation and Skills Minister David Pisoni said the unemployment results had bucked the national trend.
“We know there’s more work to be done and today’s stats, while encouraging, reflect the significant ongoing challenge ahead,” he said.
“We are doing everything in our power to ensure as many local jobs as possible survive through the greatest economic challenge of our time,” said Minister Pisoni.
“Nearly 100,000 jobs have been supported in SA through our $10,000 emergency cash grants, which have benefited more than 18,700 small businesses and not-for-profit organisations.
“We have also announced a record $12.9 billion pipeline of infrastructure works over the next four years to drive jobs and improve economic productivity.
“More infrastructure will be built in South Australia than in any other four-year period in our state’s history.
Mr Pisoni said that recent wage and payroll data had shown a shift in the right direction, with SA recording 2.4 per cent wages growth through the year to June, the country’s equal highest rate according to the ABS Wages Price Index.