Tough talk on jobs

By Casey Neill
UNEMPLOYMENT is on the rise in the Gembrook electorate and their local member is to blame, the Coalition said.
But MP Tammy Lobato says she has overseen an increase in Gembrook jobs.
Opposition Manufacturing spokesman Ryan Smith said the latest Commonwealth Government Area Labour Markets figures showed Victorian unemployment levels had increased in the 12 months prior to June.
He said the unemployment rate in the Gembrook, Emerald and Cockatoo areas had risen from 3.1 per cent to 4.1 per cent, and 5182 people were unemployed in Gembrook in June, up 3862 from the previous year.
“The manufacturing industry is a significant employer (in Gembrook),” he said.
“John Brumby and his lazy Labor government have no substantial manufacturing policy and as the unemployment figures continue to rise, it is evident that after 11 years, Labor has abandoned the manufacturing sector.
“Tammy Lobato has done nothing for her electorate.”
Ms Lobato slammed the comments as “a half-baked attempt at undermining the Victorian economy, which is the strongest in the country.”
“Last financial year more than 115,000 jobs were created, more than in any other state,” she said.
Ms Lobato said this included 5796 in the Gembrook electorate.
“I would still like to see more localised opportunities for jobs, such as those that will be created through the South East Business Park, so people do not have to travel long distances to work,” she said.
“The Warburton Business Incubator is a great model that works well in smaller townships, as does the Gembrook Community Co-op, which I started earlier this year.”
She said the housing building boom and surrounding development was creating many jobs locally.
“And there are terrific opportunities for job creation in the agricultural and tourism sectors as well,” she said.