House debates Questions without Notice
Employment
Ms Julie Bishop Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
3:01 pm
My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How many Australians does the government forecast will lose their jobs over the next 12 months?
Harry Jenkins Speaker
The member for Banks is incorrigible, but, unfortunately, had timing. But he will not do that again.
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Prime Minister
As the Deputy Leader of the Opposition would be aware, the parameters in the budget papers show a slight upward movement in the unemployment rate. During this year the RBA also projected a slight softening of the labour market. Having said that, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition would also be aware that the last set of employment numbers received was actually strong, went above market expectations and in particular showed more growth in full-time jobs than people were expecting. We understand, of course, that there are some pockets of companies with particular redundancy problems and lay-offs.
Brendan Nelson Bradfield, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
Dr Nelson interjecting
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Prime Minister
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his assistance, and I understand that each and every unemployed Australian is a person and they deserve our compassion and support and, most particularly, an employment services system that works to meet their needs. One of the reforms that this government is engaging in is to ensure, on the next major tender of the Job Network, which happens on 1 July next year, that they get a better employment services system to meet their needs. I am of course acutely aware that when companies announce redundancy programs—and they happen for all sorts of reasons—that causes human suffering. As the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition would be aware, in those circumstances the federal government has a number of programs, including programs to assist with entitlements.
Joe Hockey North Sydney, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House
Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The question was very specific about the government’s forecast for the number of job losses over the next 12 months.
Harry Jenkins Speaker
The minister is aware of the question and the minister will respond to the question.
Brendan Nelson Bradfield, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
Dr Nelson interjecting
Harry Jenkins Speaker
Order! The Deputy Prime Minister has the call. The Leader of the Opposition is not assisting.
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Prime Minister
Can I conclude where I started. The budget papers do show a slight upwards revision in the unemployment rate before—
Ms Julie Bishop Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Ms Julie Bishop interjecting
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Prime Minister
I know the budget papers are not the Deputy Leader of the Opposition’s favourite topic, because she is on a strategy with her colleagues to punch a hole in those budget papers in an act of economic irresponsibility. But, in terms of answering the question, the budget forecasts are for a revision to 4¾ per cent in the unemployment rate.
Brendan Nelson Bradfield, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
Dr Nelson interjecting
Julia Gillard Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Prime Minister
The RBA has also talked about the unemployment rate. Having said that, I note the last employment numbers were strong and above market forecasts. When individual companies announce redundancies and lay-offs, of course the government monitor that. We respond with employment services that make a difference. We have the GEER Scheme to make a difference in circumstances of unpaid entitlements.
Brendan Nelson Bradfield, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
It’s too many!
Brendan Nelson Bradfield, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition
Dr Nelson interjecting
Harry Jenkins Speaker
Order! The member for Bowman is warned! Not wishing to start another chapter of House of Representatives Practice, may the record show that I did not ask the member for Bowman to leave for one hour. The House will come to order. The member for Page has the call.