Unemployment rate lowest for 4 years and lowest rate of all States

8/9/94

Western Australia's unemployment rate fell to eight per cent in August - the lowest jobless rate for four years, and the lowest rate of all the States.

The August figures showed that full-time male employment in this State grew to a record high of 417,100 jobs and that a total of 32,300 jobs had been created in WA in the past year.

Employment and Training Minister Norman Moore said today the number of young people out of work had also fallen to 7,800 - the lowest figures since November, 1989.

Nationally, the August unemployment rate remained stable at 9.5 per cent.

The jobs picture in WA had improved significantly over the past year, dropping to eight per cent this August, compared with 9.2 per cent at the same time in 1993.

Mr Moore said that given last month's strong improvement (a drop of 0.8 per cent), he had expected some correction in August, so he was pleasantly surprised at the continuing positive trend.

"The trend continues to be positive and August represented the twenty-second consecutive month of an upward trend in employment growth," the Minister said.

"The signs are there for ongoing moderate recovery and growth in this State, which will be encouraged by the State Government's commitment to encouraging business investment to create real jobs."

Mr Moore said the only dark shadow was the Federal Government's persistence with policies which were driving interest rates higher.  This had the potential to impact badly on the economic recovery and jobs growth.

WA's labourforce participation rate - the percentage of the adult population either in work or looking for work - decreased slightly to 65.8 per cent, but remained the highest of all States and well above the national average of 62.8 per cent.

Media contact:  Ross Storey  321 1444    222 9595