Aust, jobless toll ‘could rise over 9pc’

Press, 9 October 1982, Page 9

Aust, jobless toll ‘could rise over 9pc’

NZPA Canberra Unemployment in Australia could be between 9 and 10 per cent by the end of the year if the trend which produced the latest figure of more than 500.000 jobless continues, according to the Federal Opposition The latest unemployment figures make it essentia) for the Federal Government to change its policies and work towards economic recovery, said the Opposition leader. Mr Bill Hayden, yesterday. "If the current trend continues. unemployment could be between 9 and 10 per cent of the labour force at the end of the year.” he said. "This situation makes it imperative for the Fraser Government to change its policies and commit itself to economic recovery." The post war record of 504.800 jobless in September

is 7.4 per cent of the workforce. according to the latest figures released by the statistician. The Opposition employment spokesman. ' Bob Hawke, said that Australia’s total unemployment is now

higher than that recorded in the 1933 census "in the midst of the Great Depression.

"It is the most terrible indictment of the Fraser Government that after seven years it has produced unemployment of Great Depression levels." said Mr Hawke. The Government has admitted that the figures must concern all Australians.

Full-time unemployment has risen by 92.600 over the past year. The Government said that a manufacturing industry decline in New South Wales and Victoria had contributed to the situation. In other bad news for the Government, the statistician also confirmed that retail sales fell in August, average weekly earnings were still rising much faster than inflation, and the slump in Australia’s building industry is deepening.