The ABS Labour Force figures released today show the NSW unemployment rate has stayed 14 straight months below the national average.

NSW Treasurer Andrew Constance said while the state’s unemployment rate increased to 6.3 per cent in January, our jobs market remains strong.

“In Labor’s last term of government, the NSW unemployment rate was below the national average on seven occasions. Since the 2011 election, it’s been below the national average 33 times – including 14 in a row,” Mr Constance said.

“Despite an increase to the NSW jobless rate in January, we are bucking the trend nationally.

“Our jobs market remains strong, with the policies of the NSW Liberals & Nationals helping to create 126,500 positions since April 2011.

“We are leading the way on a range of indicators and have delivered on our commitment to make NSW the number one economy.

“However, the rise in the national jobless rate demonstrates how important it is for NSW not to become complacent if we are to continue to set the national pace in economic growth.

“That’s why we have a plan called Rebuilding NSW that will provide a $20 billion boost to infrastructure and grow the economy by an extra $300 billion.

“If you travel around the State, you can see that construction is booming with cranes in the sky and jobs on the ground. Rebuilding NSW will take it to the next level.

“Our housing pipeline is incredibly strong with approvals jumping 27 per cent in December, housing starts at their highest levels in around 12 years, and completions at their highest levels in almost a decade.

“Our retail sales figures are the strongest in the nation, NSW consumers are the most confident in the country, and business confidence remains at positive levels.

“We are committed to driving jobs growth and creating more opportunities for young people through initiatives like Reskilling NSW, which will make it free for 200,000 disadvantaged people to go to TAFE.

“We will also require contractors to employ a minimum number of apprentices on every NSW Government project worth more than $100 million.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals have taken the State’s economy out of the dark ages under Labor to be the shining light of the country.

“Labor is the biggest risk to NSW – a risk to jobs, a risk to services and a risk to getting the infrastructure NSW needs and deserves.