High prices under Albanese makes it tough for all Aussies

Concerning monthly falls in full time employment and the participation rate, after a year of high prices under the Albanese Labor Government, are a warning sign for Australia’s economy.

The September Labour Force figures released today show the overall unemployment rate declined by 0.1 per cent in September to 3.6 per cent but that 39,900 full time jobs were lost.

The drop in the overall unemployment rate was driven by a 0.3 per cent drop in the participation rate, which measures the number of people in work or looking for work.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said: “The resilience in the labour market began under the former Coalition Government but it is critical this Albanese Labor Government doesn’t take the strength of the labour market for granted.”

“For many Australians, their job is their last line of defence against rising prices. What is clear in this data is that Australians are working hard to keep their head above water over more than a year of high prices under Labor,” Mr Taylor said.

“Australians need a government that is working as hard to bring down prices. Everyone knows the best way a government can bring down prices and inflation is by spending less,’’ he said.

“Yet under Labor we have seen $188 billion in extra spending since the election with the Treasurer bragging about how much money he is spending through Question Time this week.”

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Senator Michaelia Cash said: “I have spent a lot of time engaging with small businesses and the cost-of-living crisis means many of them are really struggling.’’

“I’m very concerned that the decisions of this Government only put more pressure on the job creators of this nation,’’ she said.

“Labor’s radical industrial relations agenda will make things tougher and tougher for businesses and this will put more pressure on our jobs market,’’ Senator Cash said.

“We keep hearing from the job creators of the nation about how difficult the latest proposed laws will make it to employ people, but the Government is not listening,’’ she said.