South Australia’s unemployment rate for September the worst in the nation at 6.7 per cent

SOUTH Australia’s unemployment rate is back to the worst in Australia, locked in a virtual dead-heat with Tasmania for the nation’s jobs figures wooden spoon.

SOUTH Australia’s unemployment rate remained steady in September with the state locked in a virtual dead-heat with Tasmania for the nation’s jobs figures wooden spoon.

SA’s unemployment rate in September fell from a seasonally-adjusted 6.8 per cent in August to 6.7 per cent.

Nationally, the jobless rate fell slightly from 5.7 per cent to 5.6 per cent.

Tasmania had a seasonally-adjusted 6.5 per cent unemployment rate.

But in trend terms, the two states both states recorded a 6.7 per cent jobless rate.

The jobs figures were released after the State Government this morning heralded two business ventures that will create jobs in SA.

Medical technology company Somark will establish a development and manufacturing facility at Tonsley, creating 48 skilled jobs over three years.

The Government also announced a $200,000 grant would be used to help fund the establishment of a magnesite mining operation 20km outside Leigh Creek.

About 15 fulltime jobs will be created by the opening of the open-cut mine to be developed and operated by Leigh Creek Magnesite Pty Ltd.

SA Employment Minister Kyam Maher said 8900 additional jobs had been created in SA over the past 12 months.

“There are plenty of signs that despite the looming closure of Holden, our jobs plan is starting to deliver,” Mr Maher said.

Federal Employment Minister Michaelia Cash welcomed the slight fall in the national unemployment rate but said more needed to be done to create jobs.

“This Government knows that we must at all times be focused on policies that that create jobs and that is why we took our jobs and growth policy to the election,’’ Senator Cash said.

“That is why we are so committed to ensuring that we do everything we can to stimulate our economy to ensure that employers create jobs.’’

Federal Labor employment spokesman Brendan O’Connor said 112,000 full-time jobs had been lost in Australia this year and a national employment plan was needed.

“I think Malcolm Turnbull’s got to get out of his ivory tower and start talking to ordinary working Australians and those who cannot find enough work and understand he needs to do better — there needs to be a jobs plan,’’ Mr O’Connor said.

State-by-state comparison

Australia 5.6%

NSW 4.9%

VIC 5.7%

QLD 6%

SA 6.7%

WA 6.2%

TAS 6.5%

NT 3.4%

ACT 3.5%