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Outlook> 2007
> September
Number claiming benefits falling
LATEST figures show that the number of people receiving unemployment
benefits nationally fell by 28,906 people (5.3 per cent) between June
2006 and June 2007.
"There are 17,186 fewer long-term unemployed welfare recipients, a fall
of 5.3 per cent. These are people who have been receiving income
support payments for 12 months or more," Dr Sharman Stone MP, Minister
for Workforce
Participation, Minister Stone said on announcing the findings.
Dr Stone said the drop in unemployment benefit recipients reflected the
strong performance of providers of Australian Government employment
services, which help people to move from welfare into work.
Between June 2006 and June 2007, the number of job seekers in New South
Wales fell by 8.0 per cent (10,414), Victoria recorded a fall of 10.0
per cent (9,023), South Australia fell by 7.8 per cent (2,453),
Queensland fell by 16.5 per cent (11,198), Tasmania recorded a fall of
9.2 per cent (1,224), in the Australian Capital Territory the number
fell by 31.3 per cent (1,077), Northern Territory fell by 3.8 per cent
(193) and Western Australia recorded a fall of 22.2 per cent (5,797).
"The government's strong economic management has resulted in the
generation of over 2.1 million (2,130,500) new jobs since March 1996,
over half (1,230,000) of which have been full-time positions," Dr Stone
said.
The Job Network has helped over 645,500 people find a job in the twelve
months to end June alone. Of these jobs, over 124,400 have been for
young Australians, aged 20 years or less, 131 100 have been for mature
aged job seekers (aged 45+ years) and 84,200 jobs have been found for
Australians of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
As part of the $3.7 billion Welfare to Work package, the government is
investing $1.9 billion to deliver greater employment services and other
assistance, including rehabilitation, long- and short-term wage
subsidies, funds to modify workplaces to meet the needs of people with
disability, upskilling and training of job seekers, and additional
child care places.
"These new figures reflect the success of the government's approach to
helping unemployed Australians to find a job and we are dedicated to
ensuring this continues," Minister Stone said. |