Shock unemployment figures: youth jobless hits new high on the Gold Coast

Youth unemployment has reached double figures on the Gold Coast, putting pressure on the State Government to green light major construction jobs like the second M1.

YOUTH unemployment has reached double figures on the Gold Coast, putting pressure on the State Government to green light major construction jobs like the second Pacific Motorway.

The Opposition has branded Labor as being “anti-jobs and anti-regions” on the back of new figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics about unemployment in the regions.

Still from a Transport and Main Roads video showing how the Coomera Connector is expected to look.

LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said more than 20,000 Coast residents were looking for work after a sharp jump of more than 1% in unemployment.

“Youth unemployment on the Gold Coast has now reached double digit crisis levels with 8000 young people on the hunt for work,” Mr Mander told the Bulletin.

Unemployment in the past 12 months on the Coast has increased from 4.4 per cent to 5.5 per cent, with the number of locals looking for work up from 4600 to 19,800.

Youth unemployment had jumped from 8.4 per cent to 11.2 per cent, an increase of 2.8 per cent. The total numbers of youths searching for jobs had increased form 2800 to 8000.

“Job creating infrastructure projects like building the second M1 continue to be blocked by a Labor Government who couldn’t care less for the Gold Coast,” Mr Mander said.

Coomera connector alignment map and aerial map supplied by Queensland Main Roads. Picture: Queensland Government.

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“The Gold Coast is being squeezed as more residents are left unemployed while paying more for basic expenses like electricity, fuel and child care.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk’s weak leadership has no plan for the Gold Coast except more taxes, less infrastructure and a debt bomb ticking over $90 billion.”

But Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said the regional labour force data shows the Government continues to back the Coast by creating more than 12,400 jobs in the past year.

The Glitter Strip had the largest annual growth in employment in Queensland, she said.

“This is good news for workers and small business owners up here in our city,” Ms Scanlon

said.

Member for Coomera Michael Crandon and Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington recommit to funding the Coomera Connector.

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“The job growth rate here over the past 12 months has been 3.8 per cent, which is higher

than the state average.

“Our Labor Government has been investing in job-creating projects like the Gold Coast light

rail and the new school at Pimpama. We’re committed to creating good-quality jobs, and we’re seeing that commitment pay off.”

Transport Minister Mark Bailey has previously told the Bulletin a detailed plan was needed for the $2.4 billion Coomera Connector and Labor had only just secured the corridor from Nerang to Staplyton after the project was stopped by the former Newman Government.

Ms Scanlon said the Newman Government’s legacy for the Coast was an unemployment rate of six per cent.

“But we’re getting on with the job and futureproofing our economy,” she said.