Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 1 Hansard (28 April) . . Page.. 57 ..

MS CARNELL (continuing):

They are not in the ACT Public Service. So, by their very nature, they have to be in the private sector. That means that not only has the private sector picked up the extra 3,300 jobs we have now, since we came to government, but it has picked up the huge amount of Commonwealth Government downsizing as well, Mr Speaker.

Where are those jobs? I think that was the second part of the question, Mr Speaker. Predominantly, those jobs are in such areas as information technology. As we have seen from the Morgan and Banks statistics, the Yellow Pages statistics and, of course, also the executive index, the ACT is regarded as one of the best cities in Australia in terms of executive jobs in the information technology area. Certainly, the level of enthusiasm, the number of jobs that are available and the general attitude of the information technology, high-tech and advanced technology area are quite stunning. The number of jobs that have been created in that area is great.

But, Mr Speaker, we should never underestimate the importance of other sectors, such as the retail sector. We know that our retail statistics have outstripped those of most States in Australia over the last 12 months. In fact, the statistics that have been available for both retail and motor vehicle sales have again been quite stunning. It has been wonderful to see, certainly over the last 10 months or so, retail sales statistics regularly outstrip those in the rest of Australia, or certainly be in the top few. Of course, the retail sector is a major job creator. We also should not underestimate the importance of the hospitality sector, Mr Speaker, particularly in providing jobs for young people.

I have to say that these private sector jobs are at the top of the pile, Mr Speaker. They really are at just the end we want for a clean, green, clever city - that is, jobs in the information technology area, the high-tech area, but also jobs in tourism, retail and so on. So, is it not great, Mr Speaker, that after probably three of the toughest years that the ACT has seen - certainly in terms of Commonwealth Government downsizing - we have ended up with more jobs than we started with? We have, in fact, ended up with 3,300 more jobs than we started with. Mr Speaker, just to finish, the smart part about that is that the whole 3,300 are full-time jobs.

MR STANHOPE: Mr Speaker, I have a supplementary question. Will the Chief Minister table the documentation which discloses that there are 90,000 private sector jobs in the ACT?

MS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I am happy to table the ABS statistics and all the other statistics. I think they are already available publicly; but we will certainly make sure - - -

Mr Berry: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: The supplementary question was fairly specific. It asked whether the Chief Minister would table the documentation that showed that there was that number of jobs in the private sector. The Chief Minister has only to answer yes or no.

MR SPEAKER: I do not think the Chief Minister has to answer yes or no. Did you indicate that you were happy to make that available, Chief Minister?

MS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I am happy to make available statistics that relate to jobs in the ACT and where those jobs are.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .