Despite a decrease in the national unemployment rate 4.2 per cent, which is a great outcome for Australians in other states, Victoria has again gone backwards and bucked the national trend.
Sadly, for Victorians, the state unemployment rate has increased by 0.1 per cent to 4.6 per cent - the rate is just shy of being half a percentage point above the national average.
Today's data reveals that Victoria has now held the highest unemployment rate of any state for 17 consecutive months.
The 17-month streak in Victoria is the longest streak since the Australia Bureau of Statistics began collecting labour force data in 1978.
On a State-by-State comparison, Victoria is also significantly behind - with New South Wales unemployment rate dropping to 4.0 per cent.
The release today follows recent Wage Price Index data which shows that over the last decade, the cost of living in Victoria (+31.8 per cent) has significantly outpaced wage growth (+29.0 per cent), resulting in a net loss of purchasing power for our state.
The Shadow Treasurer, James Newbury, said: "The Allan Labor Government's policy damage is causing structural damage to our economy."
"We know that almost a dozen businesses are shutting their doors for the final time, each day, in Victoria. When businesses close, so too do the jobs they provided."
"Hammering the private sector, with 63 new or increased taxes and charges, is causing structural damage to the state and is a chief reason why our employment rate is behind the nation."
"That's why the Liberal and National Coalition is committed to kick starting the economy, including by cutting five taxes, and reducing Labor's tax burden on the state."
