Figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reflect the ongoing softness of the Australian labour market.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose from 5.8 per cent in December 2013, to 6.0 per cent in January 2014.

Minister for Employment Senator Eric Abetz said the increase demonstrated the need to improve job creation and build a stronger and more prosperous economy.

“The Coalition Government has an economic plan designed to deliver stronger jobs growth right across the country,” Senator Abetz said.

“These initiatives include reinstituting the Australian Building and Construction Commission, abolishing the Carbon and Mining taxes, cutting red tape, improving conditions for small business and providing greater incentives to help more unemployed Australians back into the workforce.”

Incentives to help more Australians back into the workforce include:

– A Job Commitment Bonus payment of up to $6,500, to encourage long-term unemployed young Australians to find a job and remain in it,

– A Seniors Employment Incentive payment of up to $3,250, to encourage employers to take on mature age job seekers aged 50 and over,

– A Tasmanian Jobs Programme, which will provide an incentive of up to $3,250 to businesses that employ job seekers (who have been out of work for at least six months and are at risk of long-term unemployment) in full-time positions for at least six months.

“When in Government, Labor predicted that unemployment would rise to 6.25 per cent by the middle of this year,” Senator Abetz said.

“The Coalition Government is working carefully, purposefully and methodically to boost jobs and to lower the unemployment rate.

“The results of six years of Labor mismanagement continue to be felt and I call on the Labor-Green alliance to act immediately and stop blocking the Coalition’s job creation plans,” Senator Abetz said.