Victoria's jobs crisis continues
Today's payroll jobs numbers released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that under Labor, Victoria's jobs market is still way behind the rest of Australia.
From the start of the pandemic until 14 November, payroll jobs have fallen by 5.4 per cent, compared to a national reduction of 2.9 per cent.
Victoria's loss of payroll jobs is the largest of any state or territory in Australia.
In the first two weeks of November, payroll jobs among businesses with 20 or fewer employees fell by a further 2.7 per cent. This represents a fall in payroll jobs among those businesses of 8.9 per cent since the start of the pandemic.
Since March, Victorian small businesses that employ less than 20 employees have shed payroll jobs at around four times the rate as businesses with at least 200 employees.
We need to revive our economy. Small business is the jobs engine of Victoria but it has been left out in the cold by Labor's budget.
As stated by Shadow Treasurer, Louise Staley:
"These latest Victorian payroll jobs figures show that Labor's job crisis is continuing.
"The continued lack of support for small businesses from Labor is also clearly demonstrated in these figures as small businesses struggle.
"Victorian small businesses were hit hardest by the lockdowns reintroduced in response to the second wave of COVID-19, a second wave caused by Labor's bungled hotel quarantine program and inadequate contact tracing.
"Last week's budget did not provide the support these small businesses need.
"Only the Liberal Nationals have the plan to get Victorians back to work and back in business."
