Minister Barr: 10,000 new jobs in 2017
- Written by ACT Government
Released 19/01/2018
Over 10,000 new jobs were created in Canberra throughout 2017 – highlighting the strength of the ACT economy. This is a massive 4.6 per cent increase in employment, smashing the ten year average growth rate of 1.4 per cent.
These jobs have been created in a broad range of industries in both the private and public sector. These include education and training, retail trade, IT and media, healthcare and the energy sector. The vast majority (80 per cent) are full-time employment positions.
My Government has made significant investments in recent years to diversify our economy and protect local jobs from continual cuts from the Federal Liberal Government.
We have supported our tertiary education institutions to expand into international markets, pushed for international flights to support growth in our tourism industry and invested in major infrastructure projects to increase jobs in the construction industry.
More recently, we have played to our strengths and encouraged growth in innovation and professional services, including defence capabilities, space and aeronautical industries and education.
Our efforts to increase the territory’s exposure internationally is paying dividends. On a recent trade mission to Hong Kong, I met with representatives from Ovolo Hotels, a boutique hotel chain that just this week, announced their first venture into the ACT by taking over the Hotel Hotel lease in New Acton.
We have enjoyed low unemployment levels for a number months in the capital – now at the lowest rate in the country at 3.7 per cent. This is far lower than the national average of 5.5 per cent.
In 2018, our city has been recognised as the third best city in the world to visit by Lonely Planet, and with the arrival of our second international airline in Qatar Airways, our visitor numbers are expected to continue growing. We will also welcome companies such as Google to our city, further highlighting our credentials as Australia’s innovation capital.
I am excited to continue working with my colleagues in 2018 to make the Canberra we love, even better.
- Statement ends -
Section: Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
