Palaszczuk Government’s economic plan continues to deliver jobs for Queenslanders

The Palaszczuk Government created more than 57,600 jobs over 2019 – or more than 1,000 jobs every week – according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said that the Palaszczuk Government’s job creation over 2019 contributed to the more than 235,000 new Queensland jobs that have now been added under the Government since January 2015.

“Encouragingly, of the 235,000 jobs created since 2015, more than half of these, or 125,200, have been full-time positions,” Ms Trad said.

Ms Trad said the ABS figures supported the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to creating more jobs in more industries.

“Over the past year alone, 12,300 new jobs have been added in agriculture, 11,400 new jobs have been created in construction, and 13,900 jobs have been added in accommodation and food services,” Ms Trad said.

“Job creation in the private sector has supported the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to delivering Queenslanders the high-quality services they have rightly come to expect.

“A focus on investment in infrastructure – including record investment in education and health – will continue with more than $50 billion allocated over the next four years to deliver the schools, hospitals, road and other vital infrastructure that Queenslanders need, no matter where they live.

“We are backing more jobs in more industries, building essential infrastructure and delivering high-quality frontline services.”

The ABS data also revealed a reduction in Queensland’s unemployment rate in December.

“On the back of continued jobs growth, unemployment in Queensland dropped to 6 per cent in December,” Ms Trad said.

“The fall in unemployment under the Palaszczuk Government is a stark contrast to its sharp increase, from 5.5 per cent to 6.6 per cent, under the LNP.

“Our Government looks forward to creating more jobs for more Queenslanders in 2020 and beyond.”

Ms Trad said the figures were further acknowledgement that Labor’s economic plan for Queensland was working.

“Despite considerable economic headwinds, the Palaszczuk Government has delivered five consecutive operating surpluses,” she said.

“The responsible economic management of the Palaszczuk Government stands in stark contrast to the LNP’s record – a record that Deb Frecklington says she is proud of, which included a $4.6 billion deficit in the LNP’s first budget and the sacking of 14,000 Queenslanders, including frontline health and education workers.”

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