Interview - Channel 7, Sunrise with David Koch
E&OE-------------------------------------
DAVID KOCH:
Now, the latest jobless figures have come out better than expected with unemployment falling to 5.5 per cent in April, despite the end of JobKeeper. The Bureau of Statistics says the end of the wage subsidy program didn't have a discernible impact on employment. Youth unemployment fell too, to its lowest level since the global financial crisis 13 years ago. Underemployment also dropped. Employment Minister, Stuart Robert, joins me now. Really good set of numbers. Everyone was thinking that with the end of JobKeeper unemployment would, would skyrocket and there’d be 100,000 people on the streets.
MINISTER ROBERT:
There was lots of talk of fiscal cliffs and all sorts of Armageddon happening, Kochie. So, we're cautiously optimistic and pleased – 33,800 new jobs. Youth unemployment down to the lowest level in 13 years, as you said. But people are screaming out for workers, and there’s a great opportunity now for Australians.
DAVID KOCH:
Okay. So, what is this all about? Because unemployment’s coming down, job vacancies at record highs…
MINISTER ROBERT:
12-year highs.
DAVID KOCH:
… skilled, skilled vacancies, high as well. Do Australians don’t want to work in some jobs?
MINISTER ROBERT:
Well, 1.16 million Australians still on payment, so there’s a lot of opportunity for Australians to get into work, and we're seeing shortages everywhere.
DAVID KOCH:
Okay.
MINISTER ROBERT:
So, my encouragement to Australians is take up one of the half a million job placements or apprenticeships in the Budget. My encouragement to employers is take a crack on employing Australians.
DAVID KOCH:
Okay. Well, employers are trying to do it, absolutely. But are they jobs that Australians want to do? Have we become a bit too fussy in our jobs?
MINISTER ROBERT:
Kochie, my first job at 13 was picking strawberries, I then graduated to picking…
DAVID KOCH:
Yeah. Yeah. I know. But it's a different era today.
MINISTER ROBERT:
We’ve all done that. Well, Australians need to understand there are mutual obligations, there are responsibilities and entitlements. And I would encourage all Australians, take up a traineeship, take up an apprenticeship. Get online. There’s 300,000 online jobs right now ready for Australians to take-up.
DAVID KOCH:
Yeah. We had Annastacia Palaszczuk on yesterday, they’re giving out incentives for people to go and live in Far North Queensland and work in hospitality and tourism – paying people money to do it.
MINISTER ROBERT:
As is the Federal Government. Relocation allowance is up to $10,000. We’ve increased our wage subsidies up to $10,000 to encourage Australians into jobs.
DAVID KOCH:
Okay. Because a lot of companies are having to encourage people to come and work by higher salaries, so the issue there is a wage blowout which the Reserve Bank is encouraging as well. Do you think Australia can afford that?
MINISTER ROBERT:
Reserve Bank says we won't see wage rises until unemployment is probably in the mid-fours – that's when you start to see full employment happening.
DAVID KOCH:
Right.
MINISTER ROBERT:
But right now, we need to encourage every Australian, get into work – 10.6 per cent youth unemployment – it’s a great number, that’s still one in 10 Australians, young Australians, who can step up.
DAVID KOCH:
Yeah. Okay. Hospitality, tourism, agriculture, health care, right across the board. Minister, appreciate your time.
MINISTER ROBERT:
Great to talk to you.