Jobs boom for Gippsland

There are more jobs in Gippsland, with new Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealing 11,800 extra positions have been created across Latrobe-Gippsland in the past two and a half years.

ABS Labour Force figures released this month have revealed that since the Albanese Labor Government came to office in 2022, Gippsland has grown by 11,800 new jobs, bringing local employment to 143,700.

Of those new positions, 5,500 were jobs for women in Gippsland.

Across Australia, an extra 444,400 jobs were created in 2024 alone – the second largest rise in a calendar year on record. Of those, 67 per cent were full-time positions.

This strong job creation has occurred at the same time as we make substantial progress in bringing down inflation.

Federal Labor’s workplace laws – all of which were opposed by Peter Dutton and the Coalition – are delivering:

• Higher pay and stronger job security for workers;

• Real wage growth after a decade of deliberate wage suppression under the Coalition, with the average Australian worker now earning an extra $150 a week compared to 2 years ago;

• Real wages growth for four consecutive quarters, a complete turnaround from when we came to Government when annual real wages were falling;

• Increases to minimum and award wages, meaning that the 2.6 million lowest paid workers are better off;

• The lowest gender pay gap level in history;

• Same Job Same Pay laws delivering significant pay rises to labour hire workers;

• New rights for truck drivers to stay safe on our roads;

• New rights for gig economy workers like rideshare and food delivery workers, including unfair dismissal;

• More rights for casual workers;

• The right to say ‘no’ to unpaid overtime, through our Right to Disconnect;

• The criminalisation of intentional wage theft.

Quotes attributable to Senator Jess Walsh:

“These extra jobs are a great result for Gippsland. They represent growing industries, more career opportunities and more goods and services for local communities like Phillip Island, Morwell and Warragul.

“5,500 new jobs for women in Gippsland is a great result. And is a testament to the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to strengthening women’s economic security.

“Under the Albanese Labor Government, inflation has more than halved, while more Australians have a job, and their wages are going up.”

Quotes attributable to Senator Raff Ciccone:

“It’s a tribute to local workers and employers in Gippsland who have delivered these results, alongside Federal Labor’s responsible economic management and our changes to workplace laws.

“We know people are still doing it tough, but we also know that people would be worse off if Peter Dutton had his way on tax cuts, wages and energy bill relief.

“Having a job is so important when it comes to putting food on the table, as well as providing opportunities for young people to stay in their communities.”

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACTS:

SENATOR WALSH – RILEY GEARY – 0484 964 541

SENATOR CICCONE – GIULIO DI GIORGIO 0422 622 760