The March 2021 JobSeeker and Youth Allowance figures show why jobs are such an important issue for people living in outer metro growth areas. The latest data underlines the NGAA’s call for the 2021 Federal Budget to focus on jobs and stronger local economies in growth areas.
Recent talk about getting the national jobless rate to less than 5% is very far from the reality in many outer metropolitan growth areas. Some Sydney, Melbourne and Perth outer suburbs have over 10% of their population (aged 15 – 64) receiving JobSeeker or Youth Allowance. Playford in Adelaide’s north is 16.5%. See the full breakdown.
The comparison with the March 2020 figures shows how much the COVID-19 economic downturn has impacted some of these areas, with a 3% increase in people needing JobSeeker/Youth allowance across NGAA member areas.
NGAA wants the 2021-22 Federal Budget to set out an equitable allocation of job stimulus and infrastructure funding that seizes the opportunity for the whole nation to benefit from the economic opportunities in growth areas.
The priorities and measures outlined in the NGAA’s 2021-22 Federal Budget submission include:
See all the NGAA recommendations for the 2021-22 Federal Budget.
The NGAA welcomes the recognition of fast growing outer urban areas in today’s Federal Government announcement of $750 million to local councils for priority local road and community infrastructure projects.
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