Press Conference, Adelaide
AMANDA RISHWORTH, MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS: Well, encouragingly good news for Australians - the unemployment level has remained steady at 4.3 per cent, demonstrating the resilience of our economy. Consistent with economic forecasts, the data today does show a modest softening of the labour market, but unemployment remains low and, encouragingly, participation remains at historic highs.
While we're seeing some month-to-month variation in jobs growth, over the last year we have seen 182,000 jobs added to our economy. That's 1.3 per cent increase and is consistent with the RBA's forecasts.
In good news today, women in jobs increased. We've now seen a new record high of women in jobs at over seven million women in jobs.
Under Labor, more Australians are in work and unemployment remains low by historic standards. Since our Government has come into place, we have seen an 8.7 per cent increase in employment, and that is higher than the major advanced economies around the world. This demonstrates that our economy and our labour market is resilient in the face of global uncertainty.
Despite the progress we've made on the economy, we do know Australians are still doing it tough. That's why we'll continue to work to ensure that we see wages increase and importantly, we see cost of living support rollout as well - like 20 per cent relief for student debt, like increase to bulk billing, cheaper medicines, cheaper childcare, and of course, tax cuts.
Under Labor, it is only Labor that will deliver for the Australian people. So I'll go to questions now.
JOURNALIST: Full-time employment, though, has declined by 57,000 jobs. That was partially offset by 35,000 part-time jobs. Those could be largely due to Christmas, casual positions, that kind of thing. What do you make of that?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Month to month, we have seen some volatility in both full-time and part-time employment growth. What I would say is, over the year we have seen an increase in both full-time and part-time jobs.
JOURNALIST: Sorry, what sort of increase? What's the percentage of the increase?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: As I said, over the whole year we've seen an increase of 1.3 per cent in employment growth, and making up that 1.3 per cent is an increase in both full-time and part-time jobs. For example, last month there were more full-time jobs than part-time jobs. So there is month-to-month volatility, but over the year, we've seen a growth in full-time and part-time jobs.
JOURNALIST: Do you think there should be a review of travel expenses?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: I might see if there's any other employment, then I can go to that.
JOURNALIST: So the size of the labour force shrunk by 23,500 jobs. Just talk to us about that.
AMANDA RISHWORTH: There is volatility month to month, and we saw more jobs added last month, less jobs this month. That's where the annual figure is really important. Over the last year, we've seen 182,000 extra jobs added to the economy. That equates to a 1.3 per cent increase in employment, and that was in both part-time and full-time jobs. There is, as forecast in some of these figures, a modest softening of the labour market, but it continues to be very resilient, with low unemployment in historical terms, and importantly, we still have historically high participation.
JOURNALIST: The RBA obviously makes its own decisions, but what does- what could these figures sort of mean for decisions that it makes in 2026?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Obviously the RBA is independent. But I would note that the employment growth of 1.3 per cent is in line with the RBA forecast - they will obviously have a look and make their decision. But I am really pleased that, despite the global uncertainly and volatility, that we are still seeing more Australians in jobs under Labor, and, historically low unemployment. This is critically important because having a job means that you can provide for your families. So I am really proud of the fact that we continue to deliver jobs for Australians.
JOURNALIST: What do you say that sort of certainty in the labour market means for both employees and for businesses moving into the New Year?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well look, obviously I don’t like to predict into the New Year. But what I would say is there has been particularly difficult global headwinds. As I said, the 8.3 per cent- sorry, the 8.7 per cent employment growth under our Government is higher than the major advanced economies around the world. And so, what I would say is that our economy is doing- is incredibly resilient in light of these global factors.
Of course, we will continue to work across the Australian community. While these are promising signs for our economy, we know that there are people doing it tough, and we'll continue to look at ways we can support them.
JOURNALIST: Do you think there should be a review of travel expenses?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Look, travel expenses are managed at arm's length from government. You know, all of us have to make sure that we manage and are conscious that when we travel for work, which we do have to do, that we keep the taxpayer in mind and, obviously, use those resources responsibly.
JOURNALIST: Should there be a sort of a review of the rules, though, around what should be allowed? Because it seems like some of the rules at the moment don't pass the pub test.
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well look, of course we really do all, as I said, need to be responsible when we use travel for work, when we use taxpayers' money. But they are managed at arm's length, and I think that is quite important. Because you don't want politicians managing their own implementation. So look, I think we all need to be conscious and I think that's incumbent on all of us.
JOURNALIST: And some politicians are calling for a review. Do you think that's necessary?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Look, as I said, I think it's appropriate that these things are managed at arm's length, and I do think it's incumbent on all of us to be very conscious of when we travel, which we do need to do for work, that we use it in a responsible manner.
JOURNALIST: But if it falls within the rules and- but the rules, I suppose- okay, stop. I guess what I'm trying to say is, responsibility can be subjective and what might be a responsible use for one person might not be seen as responsible for another. If it all falls within the rules though, but those rules aren't gauged as being responsible by the community, should those rules be changed?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: I'm not going to go into individual rules. I mean, the rules are set out. I think it's incumbent on all of us to make sure that we are responsible. And it is managed at arm's length, so I'm not able to comment on individual rules. What I would say is that they are managed at arm's length, which is appropriate. And we all should be very conscious of how we spend taxpayers’ money.