By XAVIER SMERDON
UNEMPLOYMENT has soared in Wyndham during the first 12 months of the Baillieu Government, according to the latest statistics.
Figures released by the Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) on 25 November show that joblessness rose by more than two per cent throughout Wyndham in just 12 months.
As of September this year the number of people without a job in the northern suburbs of Wyndham had risen from 2612 to 3497, while it had risen from 680 to 864 in the southern suburbs and had gone from 846 to 1114 in the western suburbs.
Member for Tarneit Tim Pallas said that the figures showed that the Liberal Government was out of touch with Wyndham’s needs.
“These increases across Wyndham reflect this Government’s failure to invest in vital infrastructure that would support and grow jobs for our community such as the Werribee Employment Precinct,” Mr Pallas said.
“Wyndham families need a Government that is prepared to act in tough economic times, and that means developing a jobs plan that will support families in Wyndham.
“It’s time for Mr Baillieu to put in place a plan to create and protect jobs for Wyndham workers.”
A spokesperson for the Treasurer Kim Wells placed the blame back on Labor.
“The previous Labor Government announced a series of so-called employment programs without allocating any money to actually deliver them,” the spokesperson said.
“Since the Coalition Government came to office in December 2010, employment in Victoria has risen by 22,900 which represents more than 40 per cent of the jobs created nationally.”
The spokesperson did not answer questions about the status of the Werribee Employment Precinct but said Wyndham would get more jobs soon.“Before Christmas, Coalition Government Ministers will be announcing thousands of new jobs in Victoria including the Wyndham area,” the spokesperson said.
