Fresh data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has confirmed Victoria's unemployment rate has been the highest out of all Australian states for seven months in a row.
Victoria's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.5 per cent is greater than New South Wales (4.0 per cent), Queensland (3.9 per cent), Western Australia (4.0 per cent), Tasmania (4.1 per cent) and South Australia (4.2 per cent).
This comes as the Allan Labor Government fails to implement reforms to reduce Victoria's restrictive business licensing, registration and permits schemes, further harming employment conditions in the state. These stalled reforms are worth over $1 billion to the Victorian economy.
Shadow Treasurer, Brad Rowswell, said: "For seven months now Victoria has had the highest unemployment rate out of all Australian states, as business conditions fall, taxes continue to rise, and households suffer under ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
"Following a decade of financial mismanagement under Labor Governments, Victoria's debt is set to hit $187.8 billion by 2027-28, with daily interest repayments to reach $26 million, more than $1 million per hour.
"Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage our economy and Victorians are paying the price."
