Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Furner for the question and his interest in serious policy issues of interest to the Australian public. The core focus of this Labor government is the creation of high-quality jobs. Our commitment to that is exemplified by the fact that since coming to office Labor has been responsible for a period when we have added three-quarters of a million jobs, and the long-term prospects for jobs remain very strong in this country.

In the near term we are facing some considerable challenges most of which are driven by international events. While the short-term global economic outlook is increasingly uncertain, we will be buffeted by those events. The weak growth in the developed world stands in sharp contrast, though, to the extraordinary growth in emerging Asia, which is driving incredible demand for our resources and boosting Australia's national income. Of course, it is also increasing our exchange rate and bringing about a genuine structural adjustment to the Australian economy. All of those factors are having a short-term impact on jobs in Australia and we have seen loss of jobs in some sectors while mining and construction continue to grow.

However, as the economy restructures, the long-term potential for jobs growth remains very strong in Australia. The investment pipeline will see jobs continue to be created, and not just in the construction phase of the mining expansion but also permanent high-skilled jobs across many sectors of the economy. In fact, my department projects that over the next five years Australia will see an additional 1.3 million jobs to meet the demands of the economy. That is an extra 1.3 million jobs and opportunities for Australians as the economy continues to grow. So the future for employment in the Australian economy is strong. There will be jobs created and they will be high-quality jobs and opportunities for young Australians.