Friday, 29 October 2002 Murray Bridge Station, Railway Terrace, Murray Bridge Bev Ewen, South Australian State Manager, It gives me great pleasure to join you today at the official opening of this inspired jobs expo, the Right Track Employment Express. I am delighted to represent the Federal Government and also your local member, Patrick Secker MP, who unfortunately is not able to join us today. He sends his very best wishes for a successful event. At the national level, Australia's seasonally adjusted real unemployment level was 6.2% for the September quarter. This is the lowest recorded in more than a decade. Employment in Australia has increased to over 9.3 million, the highest level ever, with average annual jobs growth of 157,600. The Howard Federal Government's employment policy brings together key economic and social obligations under six pillars: First, a strong and well managed economy. Sustained employment growth can only occur if Australia has a strong, stable economy as a foundation. Under the Coalition Government, Australia has achieved low interest rates, low inflation and lower levels of unemployment. Secondly, a flexible and productive workplace relations system. The Howard Government's workplace relations reforms are delivering more flexibility, higher productivity and higher real wages for working Australians. Thirdly, an entrepreneurial and dynamic small business sector. Our tax reforms are providing stronger work incentives and a more efficient system which will support a more resilient economy and job growth. Fourthly, an education system that focuses on standards, skills development and job readiness. Fifthly, an active welfare system that helps the unemployed to move from welfare into jobs. The Howard Government has set the foundation for an active welfare system which recognises that tackling unemployment today is not just a matter of creating more jobs or training skilled workers. It requires powerful incentives for long-term job seekers to take available jobs as well as new types of work for people who can't readily find paid employment. Mutual Obligation, including Work for the Dole, is a key factor in cutting unemployment through creating greater incentives to work. Finally, we need a strong employment services sector based on the social coalition between the Government, community, business and individuals. The Government records extensive statistics on the overall performance of Job Network members, and these are published quarterly in the Labour Market Assistance Outcomes report. Performance ratings are sharply focused on the achievement of employment outcomes for job seekers and provide reliable comparisons between Job Network members. Job Matching is a service that matches the job seeker with a vacancy that suits their skills and experience. Job Network members contact employers to find jobs and then match job seekers to appropriate jobs. Job Matching is delivered by over 150 Job Network Members, at over 1600 sites across Australia. Job Search Training and Intensive Assistance also form part of the services provided by Government to assist young people into the workforce. The performance of the Job Network has been extremely good and has shown significant improvement in the past 12 months. Nationwide, eligible job seekers have been placed directly into jobs through a total of more than 320,000 Job Matching placements and close to 80,000 commencements in Job Search Training. Performance ratings are released every six months. I am pleased to say that in the most recent ratings for September 2002, measuring compliance and outcomes achieved for jobseekers, the Salvation Army's Employment Plus put in a consistently good performance rating as a Job Network member. The Salvation Army Employment Plus, along with other Job Network providers and members has assisted hundreds of thousands of Australians find work. Since its establishment in May 1998, The Salvation Army Employment Plus has helped some 110,000 people nationally, into the right job. The Salvation Army Employment Plus has a key philosophy of providing young people with opportunities to pursue their passions and move towards their goals. The Right Track Employment Express has brought that philosophy to life in the most tangible of ways. The Right Track Employment Express jobs expo is an innovative plan linking job seekers and employers, within a community focussed, interactive setting. Murray Bridge is part of a comprehensive "whistlestop" tour which includes major city and regional areas in all Australian states. Through consultant seminars, industry displays, one-on-one "mock" interviews and the "jobs mobile" enabling the registering and submitting of resumés, the expo will effectively enable expo participants to share information and establish links to assist young jobseekers find their path to fulfilling employment and participation in their local community. There can be no doubt that Murray Bridge and its surrounding areas as a whole, will benefit from this visionary event. I sincerely hope that both job seekers and employers in the Murray Bridge community will take full advantage of this marvellous opportunity. I wish you all great success at the expo and thank you for the privilege of being part of your celebrations today. * * * * *
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