Youth unemployment is spiralling in regional Queensland, but instead of supporting young people Scott Morrison and the LNP are attacking them.

The latest regional labour force data figures show youth unemployment is currently 13.1 per cent in Cairns and there are now 28 people receiving unemployment payments for every job vacancy in regional Australia.

But the Minister for Social Services Anne Ruston is blaming young people for their unemployment when the evidence shows there are not enough jobs for everyone who needs one.
This is an insult to all Australians who are stressed, anxious and unable to secure work, in particular young people.
The Morrison Government is blaming Australians for its own failure to deliver a jobs plan, while also choosing to snap back support in September.

More than 4000 businesses in Cairns and the Northern Beaches are receiving JobKeeper payments, which will be scaled back on September 27.

A Deloitte Access report out today also reveals snapping back JobSeeker to its old rate would cost the Australian economy $31 billion.  

Queensland Labor Senator Nita Green said it was time for the Morrison Government to deliver a COVID-19 Youth Strategy to ensure young workers are no longer left behind.

“More than one million Australians are out of work and the Government has no plan other than to rip money out of the economy too early and blame young people for their unemployment,” Senator Green said.

“Scott Morrison risks leaving an entire generation with less job opportunities, less housing security, depleted retirement savings, worse mental health and decades of hardship.

“It’s time he listened to young Australians and delivered on a strategy genuinely co-designed with youth to ensure they aren’t left further behind.”
 
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