Mixed response to jobs figures

Victorian political forces are at odds over what latest Victoria employment statistics have revealed in the state’s northwest.

The State Government said in a prepared statement almost 60,000 jobs had been created in regional Victoria under Premier Daniel Andrews.

It added employment in the state’s north-west had jumped by 7800 people between April and June this year.

Industry and Employment Minister Wade Noonan said backed by strong investments, jobs were being created at an incredible pace in regional Victoria.

Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford said whether it was building new schools or making sure roads were up to scratch, or making record investments in public transport, the Labor government was delivering on the priorities that regional Victoria needed to thrive.

But Liberal Member for Ripon Louise Staley and Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy claim the figures show the north-west is in a worse employment position under the Labor government.

Ms Staley said the data revealed jobs in the north-west region had disappeared since the state election.

“Since the Andrews government was elected the total number of jobs in the north-west Victoria region has dropped by 1639, with the labour force dropping by 2513 people over the same period,” she said.

Ms Kealy echoed her Coalition colleague’s sentiments.

“While the Andrews government is trying to quote northwest Victoria as one of the strongest performing regions over the last quarter, the total number of people employed remains significantly down since they came into government,” she said.

“Daniel Andrews must look beyond Melbourne and make every effort to kick-start new employment opportunities to create jobs for the region.”