Unemployment Rates Have Dropped In Townsville

It's no secret that since before the collapse of Queensland Nickel Townsville has been going through a tough period, but positive news is here...

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, Curtis Pitt, says today’s ABS figures on regional unemployment show positive signs for the Townsville region. 

“The figures show the third consecutive monthly fall in the region’s unemployment rate,” Mr Pitt said.

“In May the unemployment rate was 10.1% which was down by 0.1% on April.

“This is the third consecutive monthly fall for the Townsville region - the unemployment rate for Townsville was 1.5% higher three months ago.

Mr Pitt said last week’s State Budget confirmed the government’s focus on job creation by including initiatives to support job creation.

“These include new or ongoing funding for job-creating capital works projects including the $250 million North Queensland Stadium, the $75 million channel upgrade at the Port of Townsville and the port’s $37.3 million berth four upgrade, the completion of the $334 million Townsville Hospital upgrade, and the $225 million worth of work planned as part of the water security package.”

Mr Pitt said it was also encouraging that the Townsville region’s youth unemployment rate had fallen slightly in May by 0.2% to reach 21.6%.

“This is still too high, which is why the State Budget contained initiatives such as the continuation of our Back to Work program in regional Queensland offering $20,000 to employers hiring jobseekers aged 15-24,” he said.