Drop in jobless figures highlights need for funding

The slight deterioration in Western Australia's jobless figures strengthened the State's case for a big slice of the Prime Minister's $770 million job creation package, Employment and Training Minister Kay Hallahan said today.

Mrs Hallahan said while there were many indicators that Western Australia was recovering faster than other States, this was cold comfort to WA's 93,200 unemployed.

"Overall this year, the number of jobless has fallen steadily until the June/July figures which reflect seasonal increases in the number of job-seekers - for instance students looking for holiday work," she said.

"Western Australia will make a strong bid for a large portion of the Prime Minister's package so that existing State employment and training initiatives - such as the Youth Conservation Corps - can be expanded."

The Minister was responding to an increase in general unemployment from 10.4 per cent in June to 10.8 per cent last month - second lowest in Australia and below the national average.

Youth unemployment also rose from 31.2 per cent in June to 31.9 per cent last month - third lowest in Australia and below the national average.

Mrs Hallahan said overall, the Western Australian economy continued to outperform the nation.

"In the last four months, 14,900 jobs have been created in Western Australia - a growth rate of two per cent, which exceeds the national growth rate of 0.76 per cent," she said.

"This means that WA, with only 9.8 per cent of Australia's working age population, contributed more than a quarter of the new jobs created in the nation."

There were also improvements in the non-residential building sector, housing finance approvals, new home sales, export performance and small business confidence.

"The gradual return in consumer confidence evident in building activity is also reflected in increased consumer spending and retail turnover," Mrs Hallahan said.

The Minister said the State Government's $165 million education and training package 'Foundations for the Future' - launched last month - would provide Western Australians with more opportunities to upgrade their skills and secure rewarding jobs.

These initiatives were in addition to the economic stimulation provided through the Premier's WA Advantage statement and Prime Minister's One Nation package.